Abbott: New law creates 'better continuity of care' for new Texas mothers

The time a new mother in Texas is covered by Medicaid has tripled thanks to a new law signed by Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Texas) that extended coverage time from 60 days to six months postpartum. 

Abbott signed the legislation on July 21. It will go into effect on Sept. 1 of this year. 

"HB 133 will extend Medicaid coverage for pregnant women on Medicaid from 60 days to six months post-pregnancy," Abbott wrote in a tweet. "It will also streamline women's health programs and create better continuity of care for Texas women."

Abbott shared a picture in the tweet and thanked state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham), who sponsored the legislation and helped get it passed, for joining him at the ceremonial bill signing.

"With this bill, Texas becomes one of the first states in the nation to extend coverage beyond two months," Kolkhorst wrote in a tweet. "HB 133 keeps every Texas mom healthy and provides the care needed to avoid preventable deaths and illnesses."

Critics said the bill isn't enough to address health problems, including those that come along with postpartum depression and other mental health disorders which were the underlying cause in roughly a third of maternal deaths, The Texas Tribune reported. 

“I can’t imagine anything more devastating than the unexpected death of a new mother after the birth of her child,” state Rep. Toni Rose (D-Dallas) said in a statement back in May, according to the Texas Tribune. 

The bill received bipartisan support in the state legislature during the 87th Legislative Session. 

According to LegiScan, House Bill 133 relates "to the provision of certain benefits under Medicaid and the Healthy Texas Women program, including the transition of case management for children and pregnant women program services and Healthy Texas Women program services to a managed care program."

The measure seeks to reduce Texas's maternal mortality rate, as well as serve as a lifeline to new mothers experiencing postpartum depression or other health problems in the half year after delivery, The Texas Tribune reported.