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Idaho’s postpartum Medicaid extension live; federal rejection of restriction on abortion-related coverage under appeal
Summary
Idaho’s 12-month postpartum Medicaid coverage is in effect and has served about 2,800 women, the Department of Health and Welfare told the committee; the department has appealed a federal rejection of a state-specified restriction related to abortion.
Director Alex Adams told the committee that Idaho’s 12-month postpartum Medicaid coverage is live and operational and that roughly 2,800 women have benefited so far. "It is fully live, fully operational," Adams said.
Adams also said the Biden administration rejected a portion of Idaho’s state-plan amendment that would have applied Idaho abortion law limits to postpartum coverage following an elective abortion. The department filed an appeal and Adams said a hearing on the appeal was scheduled for the first week of April.
Why it matters: Postpartum coverage changes affect continuity of maternal health care and can reduce gaps in access to care in the year after childbirth. The federal review and pending appeal concern how federal Medicaid rules interact with state laws regarding abortion.
Ending: The department said it will continue to update the committee on the appeal and postpartum implementation metrics.
