Postpartum Lifeline Act

This bill requires states to give people on Medicaid and CHIP full health coverage during pregnancy and for 12 months after the pregnancy ends. It makes this coverage continuous, meaning you stay covered even if your income or life situation changes during that time. It also removes older limits that only covered pregnancy-related services, switching to full benefits instead . The same rule applies to CHIP, so pregnant and postpartum people get full benefits there too .

Most changes start about one year after the law is signed. States can begin earlier if they want. If a state needs to pass its own law to comply, it gets extra time until after its next regular legislative session ends .

• Who is affected: People who are pregnant or up to 12 months postpartum and enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP; state Medicaid/CHIP programs .
• What changes: Full, continuous benefits during pregnancy and for 12 months after; ends limits to only pregnancy-related services .
• When it starts: Generally one year after enactment; states may start sooner; states needing new laws have extra time after their next session .