Postpartum Medicaid coverage expanded in Texas

In 2024, Texas expanded postpartum Medicaid and CHIP coverage from 2 months to 12. The bipartisan bill (HB 12) aims to improve maternal health by allowing new mothers to continue receiving doctors' visits, medication, and other essential health services after pregnancy. Any woman currently enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP who is pregnant or becomes pregnant is eligible for the extended coverage. It also applies to women who experience the loss of a pregnancy.  

Why it Matters

Governor Abbott's office estimated that roughly 137,000 women would benefit from the expanded coverage in fiscal year 2025. This means that 137,000 women annually could benefit from a reduced risk of pregnancy-related deaths, medical management of chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, and 10 more months of access to essential services like mental health care and family planning. 

However, on July 1 of 2025, the president signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR 1), which adds work and verification requirements as well as other changes to Medicaid that are projected to reduce Medicaid coverage nationally and are likely to have a disproportionately negative impact on women. Some facts about Medicaid recipients from 2023 (KFF analysis):

• One in five women in the US, ages 19 to 64, was enrolled in Medicaid in 2023. 
• 6 out of 10 women already worked part-time or full-time.
• Of the 40% of women not working, 56% were unpaid caregivers, 26% had an illness or were disabled, 9% were in school, and the remaining 9% were either retired or couldn't find work.

Background

The 2024 bill was widely seen as a big step forward for low-income pregnant women in Texas. According to the Texas Medical Association, 50% of pregnancy-associated deaths in Texas occur after 60 days postpartum.