Action Needed: Postpartum Extended Health Coverage for Mothers and Newborns

February 2, 2023

Immediate Action Needed:
Post partum Extended Health Coverage for Mothers and Newborns

For well over a year the Dioceses of Jackson and Biloxi have partnered with Ecumenical, Inter-faith and Civic groups to advocate on behalf of expanding Medicaid coverage for newborns and their mothers. We know that being Pro-Life is more than stopping abortions. We must help provide medical care to newborns and their mothers. Medical experts testified before the Mississippi Legislature that extending postpartum care from 60 days to 12 months for Medicaid mothers will save lives. Legislation to do this has passed the Mississippi Senate. It now goes to the House. In past years it has passed the Senate but died in the House. Speaker Philip Gunn has repeatedly blocked its passage. A recent poll of the House membership found that the majority support extending postpartum care from 60 days to 12 months.

Please call Speaker Philip Gunn and leave a message urging him to allow this legislation to come before the House for a vote. His phone number at the Capitol is 601-359-3300. Please also contact your Representative and leave a message urging his/her support. If you do not know who your State Representative is, go to the following website:

https://openstates.org/ms/

Click on “Legislators” and enter your address.