Bill Summary for HB1008

• Bill Number: HB1008
• Primary Sponsor: Representative A. Collins
• Purpose: To require Medicaid coverage for postpartum mothers for one year after giving birth.

Currently, Medicaid coverage for postpartum mothers in Arkansas is limited to a shorter duration (generally up to 60 days after birth, as per federal minimums).

What’s New in HB1008:

1. Extension of Postpartum Coverage:

   • The bill mandates that the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) extend Medicaid coverage for postpartum mothers to one full year after childbirth.

2. Federal Approval Required:

   • The DHS is directed to:
     • Apply for a state plan amendment or waiver to secure federal approval for the extended coverage.
     • Take any necessary steps to implement the change.

3. Rulemaking Authority:

   • The DHS must create and adopt rules to administer this new section of the law.

Layman’s Terms Summary:

This bill requires Arkansas Medicaid to cover healthcare for postpartum mothers for an entire year after they give birth. Right now, coverage usually ends after about two months. The bill ensures that mothers have access to healthcare during the critical first year of their baby’s life.

To make this happen, the Arkansas Department of Human Services must work with federal agencies to get the necessary approvals and create the rules to implement the change. This policy aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes by providing consistent care during the postpartum period.

Comparison of HB1004 and HB1008

Both HB1008 and HB1004 propose extending postpartum Medicaid coverage to one year after giving birth, but they differ slightly in their implementation details.

Similarities:

1. Purpose: Both bills require the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) to extend Medicaid coverage for postpartum mothers to one year after childbirth.
2. Federal Compliance: Both direct DHS to take necessary actions, such as applying for state plan amendments or waivers, to secure federal approval.
3. Rulemaking: Both require DHS to promulgate rules to implement the extension.

Key Differences:

HB1008 (Representative A. Collins):

• Simple Extension: This bill focuses solely on extending Medicaid coverage for postpartum mothers to one year without specifying how the coverage is to be administered beyond the basic Medicaid framework.
• Broad Application: The bill applies to all eligible mothers uniformly, without distinguishing between different Medicaid delivery systems.

HB1004 (Representative Pilkington, Senator B. Davis):

• Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me (ARHOME) Act Reference:
  • If a mother qualifies under the ARHOME Act of 2021, the extended postpartum coverage is delivered through that program.
  • If a mother does not qualify under ARHOME, coverage is provided through the traditional Medicaid program.
• Targeted Approach: This bill creates a dual-path structure to deliver coverage based on a mother’s specific eligibility under ARHOME.

Layman’s Terms Summary:

• HB1008 is a straightforward bill that simply extends postpartum Medicaid coverage to one year for all eligible mothers without specifying delivery methods.
• HB1004 adds an extra layer of detail by specifying how coverage is delivered:
  • Mothers eligible under the ARHOME Act get coverage through ARHOME.
  • Others get coverage through traditional Medicaid.

Both bills aim to achieve the same goal but differ in how they integrate the extended coverage into Arkansas's Medicaid system.