Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) introduced legislation to ensure women eligible for coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance marketplaces or for other individual or group health plan coverage can access affordable health care throughout their pregnancies.
The Healthy Maternal and Obstetric Medicine (MOM) Act would establish a special enrollment period (SEP) for expectant mothers. Currently, marriage, divorce, having a baby, adoption, and changing jobs are considered qualifying life events that trigger an enrollment period. Becoming pregnant, however, is not considered a qualifying event. The Healthy MOM Act would change that.
“While pregnancy can be a joyous time, it also comes with unique health risks that deserve real attention,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “No mother should have to navigate those risks without access to the high-quality, affordable health care they need for a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby.”
“We have a responsibility to ensure pregnant women have access to the best health care. The Healthy MOM Act would trigger a special enrollment period so expectant mothers can get critical health care coverage for themselves and their baby, building on the example of my own state of Maryland. As Republicans try to rip away health care from Americans, including mothers, I’m proud to fight back and partner with Congresswoman Watson Coleman to expand access to affordable care for new mothers,” said Senator Alsobrooks.
The Healthy MOM Act is endorsed by Chamber of Mothers, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, National Partnership for Women and Families, MomsRising, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and March of Dimes.
The full text of the bill can be found here.
Senator Cortez Masto has consistently fought to ensure all Nevadans can access high-quality, affordable health care. She has led efforts to lower drug costs for seniors, hold Big Pharma accountable, and expand Medicare drug price negotiation. She has also championed legislation to strengthen Medicare-funded behavioral health services and telehealth services, as well as protect access to ambulance services in rural and underserved areas.
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