Today, Rep. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, introduced a bill, HB448, to extend Medicaid coverage for new and expectant mothers for up to a year postpartum, while Rep. Mary Moore, D-Birmingham, introduced a bill, HB447, to fully expand Medicaid coverage. Rep. Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham, introduced two resolutions, supporting his colleagues bills and urging the Governor to expand Medicaid.
Rep. Hall said, “Expanding Medicaid and increasing access to affordable and quality healthcare, particularly for new and expectant mothers, is crucial in addressing Alabama’s maternal mortality rate (currently one of the highest in the nation). Beyond that, it will help provide necessary funding to rural hospitals and healthcare facilities that are currently operating in the red.”