# Plain Language Summary: Helping MOMS Act of 2021

This bill makes it easier for pregnant women and new mothers to stay on Medicaid by extending how long they can keep their health insurance coverage after giving birth. Right now, many states only cover pregnant women and new mothers for a limited time—typically just 60 days after delivery. This bill removes that time limit, allowing states to keep these women covered for as long as they want, rather than forcing them off the program after a few months.

The bill also provides financial incentives to encourage states to actually extend this coverage. Specifically, it gives states a temporary boost in federal funding—an extra 5 percentage points toward their Medicaid costs—for any pregnancy-related services they cover for an extended period. This means the federal government picks up more of the bill, making it less expensive for states to offer longer coverage. This financial incentive lasts for four quarters (one year) once a state decides to extend coverage.

The practical effect is that pregnant women and new mothers in participating states could have continuous health insurance coverage for pregnancy care, delivery, and postpartum care without worrying about losing coverage shortly after giving birth. This helps ensure women can access important medical care during a critical time in their lives, including follow-up appointments and treatment for any complications that arise after delivery. For states, the extra federal funding makes it more affordable to provide this extended protection.

Helping MOMS Act of 2021

Kelly, Robin L.

Helping Medicaid Offer Maternity Services Act of 2021 or the Helping MOMS Act of 2021 This bill permanently allows states to provide one year of postpartum coverage under Medicaid and temporarily increases the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate) for pregnancy-related services in states that choose to do so.