Nevada extends postpartum Medicaid coverage

Nevada Medicaid will soon extend postpartum coverage to 12 months after birth.

Gov. Joe Lombardo on Friday signed into law Senate Bill 232, sponsored by Democratic Assemblywoman Michelle Gorelow and Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro. The bill extends Nevada Medicaid’s postpartum coverage beyond the 60 days required by the federal government to one year after giving birth. 

Nevada Medicaid covers 55% of births in the state, and extending postpartum care is seen as an important step toward improving maternal health outcomes.

The option to extend was first established in the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, then again in the omnibus appropriations bill passed late last year.

Nearly three dozen other states have already been approved by the Centers for Medicaid Services to extend their postpartum coverage, according to KFF. Other states are, like Nevada, working toward extending coverage. Increasing health care access for women and their babies has gained traction even in red states, where some conservatives are characterizing it as part of a “pro-life agenda” that also includes restricting abortion access.

SB232 was supported by all but one Nevada state lawmaker. Republican Assemblyman Bert Gurr of Elko was the only lawmaker in either chamber to oppose.