In North Carolina, many low-income women qualify for Medicaid coverage during their pregnancy. Unfortunately, this life-saving coverage ends just 60 days after delivery – when many new parents and babies are at their most vulnerable. We can help prevent maternal and infant deaths by ensuring continuous coverage throughout the first year after a child’s birth.
Reducing maternal deaths
Medicaid covers more than half of all births in North Carolina, providing essential health care to both moms and babies. One in three women experience a disruption in health insurance coverage before, during or after pregnancy. This often includes losing insurance at a time when they need it most.
Ending postpartum coverage a few weeks after birth can result in severe and life-threatening medical issues like bleeding, infections, postpartum depression, and even death. Pregnancy-related deaths can occur up to one year after a baby is born. At least one-third occur after delivery.
- In 2018, 12% of new moms in North Carolina reported having symptoms of depression.
- Black women in North Carolina are nearly twice as likely to die than white women when it comes to maternal deaths.
- Pregnancy-related deaths can be avoided if new moms are able to access health care and other ongoing supports.
Nationally, pregnancy-related deaths among American women have noticeably increased over the last 30 years.6 Approximately 700 moms die annually in the United States due to pregnancy complications and 60% of these deaths are preventable.7 Fortunately, the number of annual maternal deaths in North Carolina is low. However, every death is tragic – particularly because so many are preventable. Extending postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months is an important step in fighting infant and maternal deaths.
Fighting infant mortality & promoting healthy development
North Carolina has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the nation. This high rate is largely due to disparities in health care and birth outcomes that put families of color at higher risk. Black infants are more than twice as likely than infants in white families to die before their first birthdays. Extending postpartum Medicaid coverage promotes healthy development for babies. When new moms are healthy, they can bond with and care for their infants.
Extending coverage also supports women in need of treatment for chronic health conditions, mental health, or substance use disorders, allowing them to stay actively engaged in parenting. Guaranteeing 12 months of continuous health coverage postpartum helps babies stay healthy during their first year of life. Extending postpartum Medicaid coverage is an effective way to keep both moms and babies healthy and safe, while ensuring families start off on the right path.
For more information about this or other issues of child well-being:
Kaylan Szafranski, Health Program Director: kaylan@ncchild.org
Ashley Perkinson, Lobbyist: ashley@perkinsonlawfirm.com