The House Committee on Public Health on Wednesday advanced State Rep. Ann Vermilion’s (R-Marion) bill, House Bill 1140, that would expand Medicaid coverage for pregnant women.
Vermilion said her legislation would give pregnant Hoosiers greater access to Medicaid benefits by increasing the family income requirement from 200 percent to 208 percent of the federal income poverty level. It would also extend the Medicaid coverage period from 60 days after the pregnancy period to a full year.
According to a recent report by the Indiana Mortality Review Committee, 85 percent of pregnancy-related deaths occurred postpartum. Of those deaths, 56 percent occurred after six weeks, according to the study.
The bill now heads to the full House for further consideration.
