Bill that would extend postpartum Medicaid coverage passes Senate

The bill passed Tuesday is very similar to one passed last year by the Senate that ultimately died after Speaker Phillip Gunn refused to hold a vote on it. Gunn said at the time he did not want to pass any legislation that could lead to any larger expansions of Medicaid coverage.

Some medical professionals say that new mothers need care long after the current two-month coverage period. Dr. Anita Henderson is a pediatrician that practices in Hattiesburg. She says that many lawmakers are aware that this could be helpful to the state.

"We know that healthy Moms are more likely to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy delivery," she said. "I think the Senate has understood that... the moral obligation, the economic impact of postpartum care."

Most other southern states already allow at least a year of post-partum Medicaid coverage. Henderson says Mississippi is "failing working Moms."

"The majority of the moms that I take care of that are on Medicaid are working mothers," she said. "They are working. They are working low-paying jobs or jobs that don't provide healthcare."

The bill will now go to the House side for further voting, where Dr. Henderson says she believes it has the support it needs should Gunn hold a vote.