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SB 102

Dogfighting; revise provisions

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Albers and 11 co-sponsors

Senate Bill 102 allows pregnant women in Alabama to access Medicaid for 60 days while awaiting formal approval, improving prenatal care access and support.

House Withdrawn, Recommitted
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Bill Summary · SB 102

Summary of Senate Bill 102: Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women

Bill Overview

  • Bill Number: SB 102
  • Title: Medicaid; providing presumptive eligibility to pregnant women
  • Status: Enacted
  • Introduced: April 09, 2025
  • Effective Date: October 1, 2025
  • Repeal Date: October 1, 2028
  • Sponsor: Senator Linda Coleman-Madison

Purpose and Intent

Senate Bill 102 aims to enhance access to prenatal care for pregnant women in Alabama by establishing a system of presumptive eligibility for Medicaid. This allows women to receive necessary prenatal services while their formal Medicaid applications are being processed.

Key Provisions

  1. Presumptive Eligibility Period:

    • Pregnant women can be deemed presumptively eligible for Medicaid coverage for a period not exceeding 60 days based on preliminary information.
    • This eligibility is contingent upon the woman providing proof of pregnancy and documentation of household income.

  2. Qualified Providers:

    • Only qualified providers of ambulatory prenatal care, as defined by federal law, can determine presumptive eligibility.

  3. Application Process:

    • Women must apply for Medicaid by the last day of the month following the month in which they are determined presumptively eligible.
    • Coverage during the presumptive eligibility period cannot be retroactively denied due to the failure to submit an application or a negative decision on the application.

  4. Administrative Requirements:

    • The Alabama Medicaid Agency is tasked with adopting rules and developing forms to facilitate the implementation of this provision.

  5. Limitations:

    • A woman can only receive one presumptive eligibility period per pregnancy.

Financial Impact

  • The enactment of SB 102 is estimated to increase the obligations of the Alabama Medicaid Agency by approximately $1 million annually for fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028. This includes:
    • $726,300 in federal funds
    • $273,700 in state funds

Who Will Be Affected?

  • Pregnant Women: The primary beneficiaries of this bill are pregnant women who may not have immediate access to Medicaid coverage but require prenatal care.
  • Alabama Medicaid Agency: The agency will face increased administrative responsibilities to implement the new eligibility rules and processes.

Procedural Timeline

  • Introduced: April 09, 2025
  • Passed by Senate: February 20, 2025
  • Passed by House: April 08, 2025
  • Enacted: May 27, 2025
  • Effective Date: October 1, 2025

Conclusion

Senate Bill 102 represents a significant step towards improving maternal health care access in Alabama by allowing pregnant women to receive timely prenatal services while awaiting formal Medicaid approval. The bill's implementation will require coordination between healthcare providers and the Alabama Medicaid Agency to ensure that eligible women can benefit from these provisions effectively.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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