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Biden Administration Approves Illinois' 1115 Waiver for Extended Medicaid Coverage for New Moms

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

During Black Maternal Health Week, US Senator Tammy Duckworth and US Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, along with U.S. Representatives Robin Kelly and Lauren Underwood, applauded the Biden administration for approving and signing Illinois' 1115 waiver. This waiver extends health care coverage for new moms on Medicaid in Illinois from 60 days after pregnancy to a full year. The senators and representatives have been advocating for this policy for years, citing the need to improve maternal and infant health outcomes, especially for women and babies of color.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Biden administration has approved Illinois' 1115 waiver, extending health care coverage for new moms on Medicaid from 60 days to a full year after pregnancy.
  • This policy change is a result of years of advocacy by Senators Tammy Duckworth, Dick Durbin, and Representatives Robin Kelly and Lauren Underwood through the introduction of the MOMMA's Act and the American Rescue Plan.
  • Illinois' maternal mortality rate is slightly lower than the national average, but the disparity of Black mothers dying is nearly double the national disparity.
  • Black mothers in Illinois die at 600% the rate of their white counterparts.
  • The ongoing pandemic has disproportionately impacted communities of color, and the importance of passing this provision has become even more vital given the current health crisis.
  • The United States is one of only 13 countries in the world where the maternal mortality rate is worse now than it was 25 years ago.
  • On average, maternal mortality claims the lives of about 700 American moms each year, with more than 60% of these deaths being preventable.

Statistics:

  • 73 new Illinois mothers die every year, with more than 70% of these deaths deemed preventable.
  • Women of color are at a higher risk of suffering pregnancy-related deaths, with Black women 3 times more likely to suffer these deaths than white women nationwide.
  • Maternal mortality claims the lives of about 700 American moms each year.
  • More than 60% of maternal mortality deaths are preventable.
  • The maternal mortality rate is worse now in the US than it was 25 years ago.
  • Only 13 countries in the world have a worse maternal mortality rate than the US.

Sources:

  • Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth
  • US Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin
  • US Representative Robin Kelly
  • US Representative Lauren Underwood
  • The American Rescue Plan
  • The MOMMA's Act
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
  • US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

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