Children’s Action Alliance — Postpartum health coverage saves lives

When someone enrolled in AHCCCS gives birth, their coverage may expire just sixty days after their pregnancy ends.*  Sixty days is not much time to recover from childbirth. And it means many people are forced to forego necessary postpartum health care due to the expense. For people with physical or mental health complications after pregnancy, having reliable health coverage can mean the difference between life and death. In fact, a report requested by the Arizona state legislature found that having health insurance reduces the likelihood of death during or in the year after pregnancy.  

Changes in federal Medicaid policy mean it’s now easier than ever for states to expand postpartum coverage to a full year after pregnancy.** CAA and our partners are working now to ensure our state policymakers act on this opportunity.