Supporting Arguments
Maternal Mortality and Health Outcomes
One of the best arguments for extending postpartum Medicaid is the reduction of maternal mortality.
Luhby (2022) revealed that 32% of the women who die pregnancy-related deaths die within one week to
one year after delivery. The current 60-day cutoff of Medicaid also brings into question how women
obtain care during this high-risk time. These include mental health supervision, chronic illness follow-
ups, and birth control. These services are not possible if coverage ends too soon. Those states that have
extended coverage to one year have recorded positive results. For instance, California enhanced the
elements concerning maternal health and decreased emergency readmissions within one year of
childbirth (California Department of Health, 2023). These real-life outcomes will be painful to those
who will experience them, and I do not want that for myself or anyone I know. I came across a story of a
woman from Houston who was recently rejected from receiving treatment for postpartum depression
since her coverage ended at 60 days. She was admitted to the hospital and was again put on treatment,
after which her baby was temporarily taken away from her. Had there been early and
proper follow-up, this situation would have been avoided. Expanding Medicaid
benefits the health of women and children, stabilizes healthcare organizations,
and saves lives.
The Economic and Social Cost of Inaction
It is also crucial to look at the costs incurred in the future if Medicaid is not expanded. Some of the
critics have said that the policy is costly. However, they disregard that preventive care could contribute
considerably to such costs. According to the study conducted by Health Affairs, postpartum coverage
minimizes hospitalization, emergency visits, and disabilities and decreases public healthcare costs
(Durbin, 2021). This is a long-term benefit. The policy also seeks to ensure that there is an effective
balance in the area of race and social affairs. Black and Hispanic women experience high deaths during
childbirth because they receive less medical care. A large number of these women are Medicaid-only
recipients. This implies that by failing to expand coverage, there is a continued perpetuation of the
existing structural racism. My friend, a Hispanic mother from Dallas, could not seek treatment for
postpartum hypertension due to the plan's expiration. She got weak one night while breastfeeding her
baby and was taken to the ER. That visit alone cost more than what preventive care for a month would
have been. As a future social worker, I understand that postpartum health is not
just a concern for one generation. It determines how much a mother can go to the
workplace to fend for her family. Medicaid expansion is suitable for families and
communities and is an investment in their well-being.
Bipartisan Momentum and Proven Success
Critics have complained that the policy is merely political. However, this view fails to consider the
increasing support for both parties nationwide. Currently, 48 states have passed legislation or an
executive order to extend Medicaid to 12 months postpartum. Stemming from this debate, other
conservative states like Mississippi have been able to embrace the policy. Republican Governor Tate
Reeves backed it, declaring that his government cherishes life from conception (Pettus, 2023). This
serves to demonstrate that this policy is quite popular among many people. Medical associations,
advocacy bodies, and people have backed it. The change has been supported by various groups, such as
the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Cancer Society (Foster,
2023). These organizations operate on the evidence base. At the same time, irregular postpartum care
leaves gaps in health equity and affects maternal health. A classmate recently interned at a health clinic
in Alabama where Medicaid had been expanded. She observed that they attended
the emergency department less often and received postpartum counseling more
frequently. Women were happier and healthier, and they were also more self-
assured. That is the kind of difference Texas can make, too.
Counterargument and Rebuttal
Opponents claim that Texas should not expand Medicaid as it is a poor state. However, this argument
does not take a long-term view. The American Rescue Plan also provides federal funding for
implementation by the states. That makes the expansion affordable. Moreover, future savings in
complications and maternal mortality costs also help pay for the initial price (Durbin, 2021). Instead,
some recommend using CHIP or private insurance. However, this is flawed. CHIP does not cover
maternal care. Getting private insurance is also a lengthy and challenging process for low-income
mothers who need to recover from childbirth. Another woman in El Paso stated that she attempted to
switch to a private health insurance plan after her Medicaid benefits ran out. She failed to attend
checkups due to this delay. She was finally admitted to the hospital for an untreated infection. Tunçalp
et al., 2015 found that Medicaid is the most reliable service provider for vulnerable
women. Alternatives are incomplete and inferior. Obamacare is not enough, and
full Medicaid expansion is the only complete solution for those human beings who
need medical attention.
