In the fall of 2019, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children (PCC) released their report, “State of Children’s Health Care in Pennsylvania: Powering Up Healthy Kids,” which sets a clear agenda to strengthen both access to and coverage benefits in health care for the Commonwealth’s children.
Did you know that making sure expectant mothers have health insurance can improve a child’s health and development? Medicaid has helped more women gain access to the care they need before, during, and after pregnancy, improving their health and the health of their newborn. Research shows maternal health directly impacts child health, which is why PPC supports policies to improve outcomes for moms and babies, including:
- Extending the Medicaid postpartum coverage period to 12 months (currently it is 60 days) to provide continuous health care to moms during a medically vulnerable time after giving birth.
- Expanding home visiting services by increasing state investments as well as other funding sources including Medicaid in order to assist additional families and provide them with the tools and resources to build the foundation for a successful future.