Alaska Matters: Senate Passes Expanded Coverage for New Mothers

Protecting Your Rights: Serving West Anchorage

April 21, 2023

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This week, the Senate passed Senate Bill 58. This legislation will extend postpartum Medicaid coverage for new mothers from 60 days to 12 months.

Medicaid Postpartum Expansion Legislation

Postpartum coverage for new mothers reduces maternal mortality rates and allows for better support for mothers dealing with postpartum depression. Improved health for mothers is directly correlated to increased care and better health for infants and children. This change was recommended by the Alaska Maternal Child Death Review Committee in 2018. In 2020, the American Rescue Plan Act added the option for states to extend postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months for eligible beneficiaries for a temporary period. The 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act made the extension option permanent.

The House version, House Bill 59, was heard in its second hearing in its final committee of referral, House Finance, yesterday (4/20) at 1:00 PM.

In this week's video, I discuss Senate Bill 58 (Medicaid postpartum extension for new mothers), House Bill 17 (12-Month Birth Control), and anti-abortion language in Alaska state budgets historically.

Watch this week's video

12-Month Birth Control Legislation

House Bill 17 has made it through the committee process in the House and is currently awaiting consideration by the full House. House Bill 17 mandates coverage by health care insurers, including Medicaid, for prescription contraceptives and related medical services. Additionally, the legislation mandates coverage for a 12-month supply of prescription contraceptives if dispensed by a healthcare provider.

The Senate version of the legislation, Senate Bill 27, is in the Senate Health and Social Services Committee. Its next stop is the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee. Our office sponsored previous versions of this legislation and are pleased to see its progress forward. I am a proud co-sponsor on SB 27 and am hopeful that the legislation will pass session.

Community Information

→ Alaska Job Centers

Alaska Job Centers offer free services to help Alaskans find sustainable, rewarding employment.

The free services available include:

Aptitude, skill, and interest assessments
Funding for training and support services using state and federal grants with ongoing case management
Occupational skills training
Short-term training to upgrade or enhance your current job skills
Apprenticeship opportunities with key trades
On-the-job training with private employers
Relocation assistance for full-time permanent employment
Support services during training or to obtain/maintain employment
Workshops to enhance your job search, resume, and cover letters
Resource rooms that provide easy access to computers, copiers, fax machines, and phones
Internet access to current jobs listings that exist locally, statewide, and nationwide
Assistance from trained staff with your job search activities

The program also provides referrals to community partner services for:

Adult education and GED services
Young Alaskans age 14-24
Mature Alaskans Seeking Skills Training (known as MASST for workers age 55 and older)
English language learners

Contact or visit the Anchorage Midtown Job Center!

Call: (907) 269-4800

Address: 3301 Eagle Street, Suite 101, Anchorage

Community Events

Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

Public Meeting for Community Council Boundary Advisory Committee

All interested community members are welcome to attend the upcoming meeting of the Community Council Boundary Advisory Committee. For full meeting information and the official public notice for the meeting, click here.

When: Monday, April 24, starting at 6:30 PM

Where: In person at the Planning and Development Center Training Room, 4700 Elmore Road, or virtually via Microsoft Teams, click here to find the link.

Victims' Rights & Restorative Justice Symposium

Hosted at the University of Alaska Anchorage's main campus in partnership with the Alaska Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, this series of events seeks to educate and empower Alaska's current and future leaders in the victim service, advocacy, and support fields.

When: April 27 - April 29

Where: UAA Main Campus, 3211 Providence Drive