Senate now to consider expanding prenatal Medicaid eligibility

The Mississippi House passed a bill that would establish a 60-day medical care window for pregnant women seeking to get on the state’s Medicaid program.

In a nearly unanimous vote Wednesday afternoon, the lawmakers approved House Committee Substitute Bill 539, which allows pregnant women to receive Medicaid benefits by being presumed pregnant if they can prove their family net income falls below 194% of the federal poverty rate by a Mississippi Division of Medicaid approved provider.

Bill Author Rep. Missy McGee, R, who serves Forrest and Lamar counties, told legislators in the House that the state would bear an average cost of about $557,000 per year, and that pregnant women can receive up to 60 days of Medicaid coverage by going to a County Health Department clinic to provide proof of pregnancy and income.

“The benefits are great, and the risks are very small,” McGee said. “In a state that you have the highest fetal mortality, infant mortality and maternal mortality rates, these will go a long way.”

If passed as is by both chambers, the 60-day window would allow mothers to receive medical coverage for doctor’s visits and prenatal care while MDM processes their application. In theory, those pregnant women would have Medicaid coverage once the 60-day window has closed.

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However, if an applicant is denied Medicaid benefits during the 60 days, their coverage is ended and the state would bear the cost of the services and treatments done up until that point, McGee said.

In 2023, McGee was a large support of a law that was enacted last year that expanded Medicaid coverage for post-partum care, giving new mothers up to 12 months of Medicaid benefits.

Medicaid Committee Member Rep. Rob Roberson, R, who serves Oktibbeha County, told the Clarion Ledger he supported the bill because it would help new mothers get medical insurance.

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“I think this is a good day for our women in this in this state, especially for trying to help lower the infant mortality right,” Roberson said, “This is an opportunity for the state to get ahead of the curve rather than continue getting behind.”

The bill will now be sent to the Senate. This is a developing story.

Grant McLaughlin covers state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@gannett.com or 972-571-2335.