One of NoHLA’s top legislative priorities this session was Senate Bill 6128, which would have extended Apple Health coverage to 12 months postpartum. 

In Washington, low-income pregnant women can get comprehensive, no-cost health coverage through the Apple Health/Medicaid program, but coverage ends just two months after the end of pregnancy.  Health needs continue through the entire first year postpartum, and changing your insurance, provider network, and care team just two months after a baby’s birth can lead to gaps in coverage and have a negative impact on access and care.  Our state’s Maternal Mortality Review Panel identified gaps in continuity of care during the postpartum period as a factor that contributes to pregnancy-related deaths.  According to the panel, 30% of all pregnancy-related deaths and most suicides and accidental overdoses occur 43 to 365 days after delivery.

Senate Bill 6128 and House Bill 2381 (sponsored by Sen. Emily Randall and Rep. Monica Stonier) would have required the state to extend health care coverage to 12 months postpartum as the state became eligible to receive federal matching funds.  It also directed the Health Care Authority to seek a federal waiver for the state to draw down federal match. The bill enjoyed broad bipartisan support and passed out of the Legislature nearly unanimously. The budget provided funding for the Health Care Authority, Health Benefit Exchange, and Department of Social and Health Services to build the IT systems needed to support the program.  

Unfortunately, the Governor vetoed Senate Bill 6128 and the associated funding, indicating in his veto message that the COVID-19 pandemic is having a major impact on the economic health of our state and that we must prepare for the effects of the lost revenue.  In total, the Governor vetoed or partially vetoed 37 bills and $445 million in the budget because of the economic impacts of the pandemic, identifying funding for new or expanded programs as “less-urgent.”   

If anything, the COVID-19 pandemic has made extension of health coverage for vulnerable populations even more urgent.  It is critical to ensure that every new mother has access to health services, including mental health, before her needs reach the point that more intensive care is required.  In the coming months, we will continue to partner with other stakeholders to pursue this vitally important policy. 

–Alexa Silver, NoHLA Consulting Attorney