Study: Nearly Half of U.S. Births Covered Under Medicaid
In 2010, Medicaid covered 48% of the nearly four million births that occurred in the U.S., up from a previous estimate of about 40%, according to a new study published in Women's Health Issues. Currently, all states offer Medicaid coverage to pregnant women with incomes up to 133% of the poverty level. However, many women who gain Medicaid coverage when they are pregnant lose it 60 days after giving birth. Cynthia Pellegrini -- study co-author and senior vice president of public policy at March of Dimes -- said the Affordable Care Act could help improve birth outcomes because women will be able to get coverage before becoming pregnant.
- "Nearly Half of U.S. Births are Covered by Medicaid, Study Finds" (Galewitz, "Capsules," Kaiser Health News, 9/3).