WEST CHESTER (Septiembre 7, 2021) – State Senator Carolyn Comitta, Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Meg Snead, and leaders of the Pennsylvania Legislative Women’s Health Caucus will hold a press conference at Chester County Hospital at 11 a.m. on Viernes, Septiembre 10, to highlight the importance of Pennsylvania’s proposed extension of postpartum coverage to one year for Medicaid recipients.
WHO:
- Senator Comitta, Member of Women’s Health Caucus & Pennsylvania Commission for Women
- Meg Snead, Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
- State Senator Judy Schwank, Co-Chairwoman of the Women’s Health Caucus
- State Rep. Mary Jo Daley, Co-Chairwoman of the Women’s Health Caucus
- State Rep. Morgan Cephas, Co-Chairwoman of the Women’s Health Caucus
- State Senator Amanda Cappelletti, Co-Chairwoman of the Women’s Health Caucus
- Mike Duncan, CEO and President of Chester County Hospital
- Eduardo Mercurio, MD, FACOG, Co-Chair of the Department of OB/GYN Chester County Hospital
- Frances Doyle, Director Maternal Child Services at Chester County Hospital
WHAT: Members of Pennsylvania Legislative Women’s Health Caucus, partners and providers will discuss the importance of the Commonwealth’s plans to extend Medicaid coverage to one year postpartum for all Pennsylvanians.
Federal law requires Medicaid – or Medical Assistance in Pennsylvania – to extend eligibility for pregnant women with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level for 60 days following the birth of a baby.
Under the American Rescue Plan Act, states can implement a new state plan option beginning Abril 1, 2022, to expand the Medicaid postpartum coverage period for mothers to one year following the birth of a baby.
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Service recently announced its intention to implement the extension – an opportunity to save lives and improve health outcomes across the Commonwealth, especially in low- and lower-income communities of color disproportionately impacted by the maternal mortality crisis.
Legislators, officials, partners, and providers will offer comments in support of this decision and highlight how holistic, extended postpartum coverage can lead to transformational change in Pennsylvania communities and make a multi-generational impact on the lives of postpartum individuals, babies, families, and young people.
WHEN: Viernes, Septiembre 10, 2021, 11 a.m. (Rain or Shine)
WHERE: Chester County Hospital (Outside of the Main Entrance)
701 East Marshall Street, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380
ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
- The event is open to the press.
- Please confirm your attendance by contacting adam.cirucci@pasenate.com
- Masks are strongly encouraged.
- A live-stream of the press conference will be provided at pasenatorcomitta.com/live
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