By Erinn Funches, MCJ Community Organizer, Health Justice
Women and babies are dying at an alarming rate in Mississippi. One major factor contributing to this crisis is the high number of uninsured women of childbearing age across the state. According to a report released by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, 18.2% of women ages 18–44 in Mississippi are uninsured—significantly higher than the national rate of 11.7%.
For years, Mississippi was the only state in the Deep South without extended postpartum Medicaid coverage and one of 17 states nationwide without this critical support. As maternal and infant mortality rates continued to rise, advocates and lawmakers recognized that 60 days of postpartum coverage was not enough to protect the health and well-being of mothers and babies.
On March 16, 2023, Senate Bill 2212 was signed into law, extending postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months for eligible women. This important policy change ensures access to essential care, including mental health services, emergency care, follow-up appointments, and chronic disease management—reducing the risk of serious illness or death from pregnancy-related complications.
To qualify for postpartum coverage, you must be pregnant and apply for Medicaid, meeting all eligibility requirements. Your total family income must be at or below 194% of the Federal Poverty Level, and you must not already have Medicaid coverage. In addition, you must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or an eligible immigrant.
While this expansion is a major victory, challenges still threaten Mississippians’ access to continuous and affordable care. Once postpartum coverage ends, many women face potential loss of coverage. Because Mississippi has not expanded Medicaid, women often find themselves caught in a coverage gap—earning too much to qualify for Medicaid, yet too little to afford Marketplace insurance.
Share Your Story
At the Mississippi Center for Justice, we are committed to protecting and advancing women’s health by advocating for access to affordable, comprehensive, and compassionate care. If you or someone you know would like to share your experience navigating prenatal care in Mississippi, please complete this form.
This blog is the third in a series focusing on maternal health, please follow us. If you have questions regarding postpartum Medicaid coverage, please contact Erinn Funches, Health Justice Program Manager at efunches@mscenterforjustice.org.
Check out our other blogs in this series:
Introducing IMPACT Mississippi and Maternal Health Blog Series
Understanding Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women and Access to Prenatal Care