By Ruth Brown, Idaho Reports
The House Health and Welfare Committee advanced a bill Monday that would extend the amount of time the state offers Medicaid to pregnant women.
The committee in a 9-2 vote moved the bill, HB 633, forward to the House floor with a do-pass recommendation. Rep. Mike Kingsley, R-Lewiston and Rep. Jacyn Gallager, R-Weiser, voted against advancing the bill.
Sponsor Rep. Megan Blanksma, R-Hammett, explained that Medicaid currently only covers pregnant women for 60 days during post-partum. The bill would extend that to 12 months, as some other states have done.
Rather than enroll in regular Medicaid, which is a 70/30 split between federal and state funding, the woman would be eligible for a 90/10 split post-partum.
Several medical providers testified in support of the bill.
Dr. Sara Thomson, an obstetrician speaking on behalf of St Alphonsus Health System, said she’s seen many women diagnosed with new problems while pregnant. She argued the bill allows mothers to follow up on their own needs after giving birth.
“It is difficult for a new mother to find time to have her own medical problems addressed post-partum as it is such a busy time caring for a newborn,” Thomson said.
Dr. Katie Gentry, an OB/GYN speaking on behalf of Idaho Physicians for Safe Health Care, said she supported the bill, noting that lack of access to healthcare is a problem for women post-partum.
“Lack of access to comprehensive healthcare contributes to alarming rates of maternal mortality,” Gentry said.
She focused on maternal mortality rates that are preventable.
“One in four Idaho woman experience post-partum depression, compared to one in 10 nationally,” Gentry said. “Over half of these patients never receive treatment.”
Erin Bennett, government relations director for the American Heart Association, testified in support of the bill, saying cardiovascular problems are often discovered during pregnancy.
“The health risks don’t end at 60 days for new moms and health care access shouldn’t either,” Bennett said.
The only public testimony in opposition to the bill came from Fred Birnbaum of the Idaho Freedom Foundation, who took opposition to the cost of Medicaid and the federal debt.
“It’s an expansion of an out-of-control program and this committee should reject that,” said Birnbaum.
Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Nampa, who has been in strong opposition to Medicaid expansion, supported the bill, pointing to the 90/10 federal match funding for pregnant women.
“Currently about 97 percent of the mothers that apply for Medicaid for 60 days turn around and still apply for Medicaid and qualify,” he said. “So, this is not as big of an expansion as some may lead you to believe. … I actually think this saves the state money and doesn’t really increase the amount of Medicaid being spent on it.”
The bill still must pass the House before moving forward.
Ruth Brown | Producer
Ruth Brown grew up in South Dakota and her first job out of college was covering the South Dakota Legislature. She’s since moved on to Idaho lawmakers. Brown spent 10 years working in print journalism, including newspapers such as the Idaho Statesman and Idaho Press, where she’s covered everything from the correctional system to health care issues. She joined Idaho Reports in 2021 and looks forward to telling stories about how state policy can impact the lives of regular Idahoans.