Legislature(2023 - 2024)
2023-02-06 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2023-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0176 SB 58 SENATE BILL NO. 58 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to Medicaid eligibility; expanding eligibility for postpartum mothers; conditioning the expansion of eligibility on approval by the United States Department of Health and Human Services; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health and Social Services and Finance Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Health Governor's transmittal letter dated February 2: Dear President Stevens: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill to allow the expansion of Medicaid coverage in Alaska for postpartum mothers. This takes advantage of recent federal amendments to the Social Security Act of 1935 permitting states to amend their state plans to extend existing coverage for pregnant women up to 12 months postpartum. 2023-02-06 Senate Journal Page 0177 Under the bill, the Department of Health (DOH) will be authorized to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage for enrolled pregnant women up to the maximum time authorized under federal law. The bill further requires DOH to submit a state plan amendment to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under 42 U.S.C. 1396a(e)(16), as amended by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, to authorize the extension of coverage for Medicaid-enrolled mothers up to 12 months postpartum. Under the bill, the coverage expansion will only become effective if the state plan amendment is approved by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. If the department’s state plan amendment is approved, the expansion would become effective on the day after the revisor of statutes is notified by the department of the approval. Because the bill permits extension of postpartum coverage to the extent permitted by federal law, DOH will be able to seek additional extensions of postpartum coverage in the future, should federal law subsequently allow it, without the need of further statutory amendments. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor