AMCHP recognizes the importance of access to high-quality, affordable health insurance to support positive outcomes for women, children, and families. When pregnant people and families lack access to affordable, high-quality care during the perinatal period and beyond, they may be forced to pay out of pocket, face financial instability, or forgo care altogether. As health care, public health, financing, and other sectors of the U.S. healthcare system continue to evolve, state MCH programs have ongoing opportunities to promote coverage for MCH populations. The 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) continues to be a national guide for health transformation that serves the unique needs of MCH populations. Transformation is also happening at the federal and state levels in response to emerging MCH issues and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Current Initiatives
Policy Areas
ACA Marketplace Coverage
Since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the accessibility and quality of coverage for pregnant and birthing people has improved. However, in 2021, roughly 1 in 10 adults were uninsured, and the rate of children without health insurance has risen in recent years. This threat has implications for Title V programs and the populations they serve.
To reverse this trend, AMCHP supports state efforts to promote the ACA Marketplace open enrollment season, to ensure that families are aware of opportunities to access coverage and financial assistance. AMCHP encourages state member involvement in ACA navigator programs, to assist with enrollment and help demystify the complexity of applying for and using health insurance.
AMCHP also keeps MCH programs updated on current and future Marketplace adaptations resulting from the COVID public health emergency AMCHP advocates for robust benefit packages in ACA coverage that meets the needs of reproductive age women, pregnant people and children.
Medicaid Policy
Medicaid, along with the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), is the nation’s largest health insurance provider and covers nearly half of all births. There are various Medicaid initiatives at the federal and state level under consideration or development that can improve maternal and child health and better serve pregnant and postpartum women by increasing access to comprehensive care. AMCHP tracks issues related to Medicaid policy and assures members have the information they need to understand policy levers at the local and state level in addition to the federal policy landscape.
Open Enrollment Season 2023
By Atyya Chaudhry, Senior Program Manager, Health Systems Transformation, Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) The national uninsured rate reached an all-time low of 8 percent in early 2022. The increase in coverage is partly attributable...
Supreme Court decision reaffirms the ACA’s critical role in promoting the health of women, children, and families
AMCHP applauds the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a lower court ruling in the case of California v. Texas, which sought to invalidate the entire Affordable Care Act (ACA) based on Congress’ elimination of the individual mandate. “Today’s ruling is...
Heal the Mother, Heal the Family
A Doula’s Role in Supporting Pregnant People with Substance Use Disorder Jessica Cohen, MSW, AMCHP Program Manager, Health Systems Transformation Team The experience of giving birth may not look the same across continents and countries, but globally we share an...
