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HB 1008

MILITARY SERVICE-TECH

104th Regular Session Introduced by Chris Welch

House Bill 1008 aimed to extend Medicaid coverage for postpartum mothers to one year after childbirth, improving access to essential healthcare services.

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Bill Summary · HB 1008

Summary of House Bill 1008

Bill Information

  • Bill Number: HB 1008
  • Title: To Require Medicaid Coverage for Postpartum Mothers for One Year After Giving Birth
  • Status: Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment
  • Introduced: November 20, 2024
  • Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1008 aimed to extend Medicaid coverage for postpartum mothers for a duration of one year following childbirth. The intent of the bill was to improve maternal health outcomes by ensuring that new mothers have access to necessary healthcare services during the critical postpartum period.

Key Provisions

The bill proposed the following key provisions:

  1. Extension of Coverage:

    • The Department of Human Services would be required to extend Medicaid coverage for postpartum mothers to one year after giving birth.

  2. Federal Approval:

    • The Department would take necessary actions, including submitting a state plan amendment or waiver, to obtain federal approval for the one-year postpartum Medicaid coverage.

  3. Rule Promulgation:

    • The Department would be responsible for creating rules to effectively administer the new coverage provisions.

Legislative Actions

  • 2024-11-20: Bill filed.
  • 2025-01-13: Read for the first time, rules suspended, and referred to the Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee.
  • 2025-01-16: Amendment No. 1 adopted, and the bill was ordered engrossed.
  • 2025-01-23: Amendment No. 2 adopted, and the bill was reported correctly engrossed.
  • 2025-05-05: The bill died in the House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.

Impact

If enacted, HB 1008 would have significantly impacted postpartum care for mothers in Arkansas by providing them with extended access to Medicaid services. This could have included essential health services such as mental health support, follow-up care, and other medical needs that arise after childbirth.

Conclusion

While House Bill 1008 was introduced with the goal of enhancing postpartum care for mothers, it ultimately did not progress beyond the committee stage. The failure to pass this legislation highlights ongoing discussions around maternal health and the importance of healthcare access for new mothers.

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

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