Bill extending postpartum Medicaid heads to Little

BOISE — The Idaho Legislature passed a bill Tuesday evening that would pave the way for Medicaid to extend postpartum coverage for new mothers.

The Senate passed HB 633, which extends Medicaid pregnancy coverage from 60 days to 12 months after birth, in a 24-10 vote with one member absent.

“In a state that cares about mothers, there’s a lot that happens postpartum,” bill sponsor Sen. Abby Lee, R-Fruitland, said. “There’s a lot that happens in that first year after you deliver a baby.”

She highlighted a letter in support distributed to senators from Idaho Chooses Life Executive Director David Ripley.

Some members of the Idaho Freedom Caucus spoke against the bill, especially in regard to its use of federal funds.

Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld, R-Twin Falls, also referenced Ripley’s letter of support that quoted the Bible and the duty to “provide for orphans and widows in distress.”

“Scripture does tell us to take care of orphans and widows, but that is not the government’s job,” she said. “That’s not the original intent.”

Sens. Scott Herndon, R-Sagle, and Brian Lenney, R-Nampa, both spoke to the federal debt and opposed adding to federal spending.

The fiscal note on the bill anticipates no new state spending if it passes.

Sen. Geoff Schroeder, R-Mountain Home, said, “I’m not sure how it’s Idaho’s role or how we can even approach getting close to balancing the federal budget, particularly on the backs of struggling mothers who need help with their infants.”

Sen. Ali Rabe, D-Boise, said that, as a new mother still within 12 months of giving birth, she could speak to the fact that her health coverage has prevented longer-term complications that could have occurred had she not received the care.

She believes that by preventing more serious health issues that can arise, the bill will result in a cost savings.

“Having access to care for 12 months after going through the tremendous effort of giving birth, is minuscule to what is actually needed,” Rabe said. “I think this is a very small ask that we’re making.”

Sen. Tammy Nichols, R-Middleton, said she thought the bill expanded government, and would take a “temporary program” and “force them to be part of it for a longer period of time than what they may need to be.”

“To me, this is expanding the welfare state and it’s very entrenched and put people into the mindset that welfare is a lifestyle and not just a temporary solution,” Nichols said.

Sen. Ben Adams, R-Nampa, said that when Idaho passed its abortion bans, it became a “beacon for the pro-Life movement in this country.”

“And this legislation fulfills the state’s obligation to continue that, as a pro-life bastion,” Adams said.

HB 633 directs the Department of Health and Welfare to apply for a waiver from the federal government to automatically extend the pregnancy coverage to 12 months after giving birth to low-income new mothers on Medicaid. Lee said what often happens currently is these mothers who were just enrolled for the 60 days after delivery are dropped from Medicaid and they have to re-apply to the program.

The option for states to extend to 12 months was provided in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Last year, Rep. Megan Blanksma, R-Hammett, introduced legislation that would’ve extended the coverage but the bill never received a hearing.

HB 633 previously passed the House 42-26, with two members absent, and it now heads to the governor’s desk for signature.

Guido covers Idaho politics for the Lewiston Tribune, Moscow-Pullman Daily News and Idaho Press of Nampa. She may be contacted at lguido@idahopress.com and can be found on X @EyeOnBoiseGuido.