COVID-19 Relief Bill Advances in Congress - Here is How it Impacts Moms

By the Mom Congress Policy Team

The House Budget Committee completed its “markup” of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a bill to address the public health and economic consequences of COVID-19. The legislative package includes $880 million to fund the federal government’s food assistance program called Women Infants and Children (WIC), reinstating the paid sick and family leave benefits that expired at the end of December, and addresses extension of Medicaid coverage for pregnant women through one year postpartum. 

Medicaid coverage for new moms currently ends 60 days postpartum. The proposal would streamline state efforts to ensure that new moms have access to vital health care coverage and continuity of care in the postpartum period (through 12 months post-birth). This is viewed as essential by industry experts as a first step in preventing maternal mortality, as many deaths occur past 60 days postpartum.  

The bill now goes to the House Rules Committee before heading to the full floor for consideration.

Mom Congress will be sharing calls to action from our partners inviting you to ask your members of Congress to support this important policy change, with just a few clicks of a button.