Senate passes Sen. Carney bill to help new mothers access health care

AUGUSTA — On Wednesday, the Maine Senate voted in favor of a bill from Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth, to help more Maine mothers access postpartum health care. LD 265, “An Act To Provide Women Access to Affordable Postpartum Care,” received unanimous support.

“The early stages of parenthood are incredibly hard on families. It’s also a time where myriad health concerns can come up for both mother and child. Making sure young families can have access to the care they need, during the time they most need it, is absolutely vital,” said Sen. Carney. “I’m so glad my colleagues in the Senate supported this bill.”

As amended, LD 265 would extend the period of time after giving birth that a mother may be eligible for services under MaineCare from 60 days to 12 months. This legislation allows Maine families to benefit from federal funds included in the recently enacted American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, providing a full year of postpartum care for those receiving MaineCare benefits during pregnancy. Additionally, the bill would require the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to report to the committee on the efficacy of the program.

“The postpartum period is a medically vulnerable period for many women,” said Rita Furlow, Senior Policy Analyst at the Maine Children’s Alliance, in testimony supporting LD 265. “A 2020 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that one quarter of all pregnancy related deaths  of women occurred between 43 days and one year following child birth. These deaths are highly preventable if women are receiving regular access to care. Providing high-quality care for mothers up to one year after birth can identify potential issues and ensure women are aware of the warning signs so they can connect to prompt follow-up care.”

The bill faces further votes in the Legislature.