07 Mar Expanding Medicaid Postpartum Coverage is a Win for Mississippi Families, says the Mississippi Center for Justice

Posted at March 07, 2023 in In the News, Press Release by

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 March 7, 2023

Press Contact: Mandesha Thornton, commsmcj@rabengroup.com

Expanding Medicaid Postpartum Coverage is a Win for Mississippi Families, says the Mississippi Center for Justice

Jackson, Miss – Today, the Mississippi House of Representatives voted to pass SB 2212, which will extend postpartum Medicaid coverage.

Mississippi is the only state in the deep South to have not extended postpartum coverage beyond the minimum 60 days to 12 months. According to the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families and the Mississippi Center for Justice, expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage would benefit an estimated 14,000 Mississippians.

“Extending Medicaid postpartum coverage will lead to less infant and maternal mortality and decrease health disparities across different races and socioeconomic statuses,” said Linda Dixon, Director of Health Law at the Mississippi Center for Justice.  “Postpartum coverage is critical for the health and safety of both the mother and child.”

“Extending postpartum coverage through Medicaid is a win for Mississippi’s women and babies,” said Vangela M. Wade, President and CEO of the Mississippi Center for Justice. “Governor Reeves has the opportunity to take a simple, research-backed approach to save the lives of women, children, and families – we hope he takes it.” 

In 2019, the infant death rate for Mississippi was 8.1 deaths per 1,000 live births, which is considerably higher than the U.S. rate of 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births. Racial disparities persist in infant mortality, particularly in Mississippi where Black babies had an infant mortality rate of 11.8 deaths per 1,000 live births in comparison to the 6.5 deaths per 1,000 live births for white babies.

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The Mississippi Center for Justice is a nonprofit, public-interest law firm committed to advancing racial and economic justice. Supported and staffed by attorneys and other professionals, the Center develops and pursues strategies to combat discrimination and poverty statewide.