PRESS RELEASE

Advocates for Families in Need

211 7th Avenue N, Ste. 100

Nashville, TN 37219

Phone: (615)255-0331 Fax: (615)255-0354

e-mail: info@tnjustice.org website:  www.tnjustice.org

          11/7/2019 

          For Immediate Release                                                                                                                                                                      

In response to the announcement that TennCare hopes to expand postpartum coverage from 60 days to one year, Kinika Young, Director of Children’s Health at the Tennessee Justice Center said the following:

This is a step in the right direction to address the rising rate of maternal mortality in Tennessee. Tennessee is currently ranked 41st in maternal mortality, moving down 8 spots from the previous year. We are the 48^th state to consider providing a pathway to postpartum care beyond 60 days.

52 preventable deaths of brand new mothers are devastating and are sadly part of a bigger issue of women dying who are in the Medicaid coverage gap. Research shows Medicaid expansion increases access to preventive care, reduces adverse health outcomes before, during and after pregnancies, and reduces maternal mortality rates.

We are glad to see policymakers acknowledge that their decisions have life-and-death consequences. We hope they will extend this recognition to other policy decisions, like Medicaid expansion, immediately.