The proposed bill, known as the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act, aims to enhance maternity and infant care in West Virginia by amending the existing Medicaid program provisions. Key changes include extending Medicaid coverage for pregnant women and their newborns to 185 percent of the federal poverty level and providing coverage for up to one year postpartum. The bill also mandates an increase in reimbursement rates for prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care to no less than $600, and it introduces new reimbursement structures for various maternity services, including depression screening for pregnant women, self-measurement blood pressure monitoring, and remote ultrasound procedures.

Additionally, the bill outlines the department's responsibilities in implementing a maternal and infant health care system designed to reduce infant mortality, including quality assurance measures and patient outreach activities. It also emphasizes the importance of simplifying the application process for Medicaid coverage for pregnant women and children, ensuring that eligibility is maintained regardless of family income changes during the postpartum period. The legislation seeks to improve access to care by reimbursing doulas and community health workers for home visitation services related to prenatal and postpartum care, thereby promoting comprehensive support for mothers and infants.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 9-5-12