Support Healthcare for Texas Moms

We respectfully ask you to ensure House Bill 12 passes quickly and without amendment. Thank you for your continued work at the Texas Legislature prioritizing families. Extending coverage to 12 months postpartum is recommended in Governor Abbott's budget proposal, the Texas Republican Party platform, the Texas Democratic Party platform, and the Texas Maternal Mortality & Morbidity Review Committee report to the Legislature. House Bill 12 by Representative Rose passed the Texas House with strong bipartisan support. This bill would continue pregnant women's Medicaid insurance for eligible women one year after pregnancy instead of just 60 days. With this step and a clean version of the bill that will pass federal requirements, new Texas mothers would continue to access comprehensive healthcare services through an established and robust network of providers. HB 12 would allow a new mother to continue seeing her same doctor, mental health therapist, psychiatrist, or specialist and not risk a gap in health care. When a new mom becomes uninsured after 60 days postpartum, she can obtain primary care services from a safety-net health center if one is nearby while searching for other health care providers and through the Healthy Texas Women Plus program. But, these options have limitations and are not a substitute for comprehensive coverage provided by Medicaid or other health insurance. There isn't a safety-net health center for many women in rural areas in their county. Suppose a new mother needs additional medications or specialty care from a cardiologist, diabetes specialist, or physical therapist. In that case, she will face considerable challenges finding providers to treat an uninsured mother. House Bill 12 will provide greater continuity of care during a critical year and will help combat the risks of pregnancy complications that too many Texas moms experience, some with long-lasting effects.