Congresswoman Nikema Williams Introduces Legislation Incentivizing Better Maternal Care Covered by Medicaid

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) introduced the Advancing Maternal Health Equity Under Medicaid Act. The act raises federal matching rates to 90% for Medicaid expenditures on maternal healthcare. This bill defines maternal health services to encompass prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum health care services including telehealth, home health visits, and mental or behavioral health care.

Although more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, the United States ranks as one of the worst nations among its peers for maternal mortality. With growing costs, expanding and reinvesting in maternal health care is crucial. Medicaid enrollment tends to increase during times of economic downturn, making Medicaid coverage and accessibility to medically necessary treatment. By increasing federal matching rates, states are incentivized to cover more maternal health services, ensuring greater access to care for those under the Medicaid program.

Congresswoman Nikema Williams said:

“Medicaid is the largest payer of maternity care in this country and must be part of the solution to the maternal health crisis. Too many people are still falling through cracks in our healthcare system, especially Black mamas who continue to face a worsening maternal health crisis. Raising the federal match for maternal care will give states the resources they need to expand care and save lives. As Republicans threaten devastating Medicaid cuts, this legislation is a clear statement: we must invest in care, not cruelty.”

• 42% of births are financed by Medicaid, making Medicaid the largest single payer of maternity care in the country.
• Women who enroll in Medicaid in their third trimester have a 4.7 times higher likelihood of experiencing maternal mortality and a 1.5 times higher risk for infant mortality.

This legislation has been endorsed by the following organizations: American College of Nurse-Midwives, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Black Women’s Health Imperative, National Partnership for Women & Families, Families USA, Congressional Mamas’ Caucus, and America’s Essential Hospitals

Read the full act here.

Read the one-pager on the act here.