(Watch) Expanding Coverage for Uninsured Pregnant Women in CT

I recently participated in a press conference at the State Capitol to express support for Senate Bill 206.

Watch our press conference here:   http://www.ct-n.com/ctnplayer.asp?odID=15044

The bill would make pregnancy a qualifying life event so that expectant mothers could enroll in health insurance outside of the yearly open enrollment period, instead of being required to wait until their child is born to access insurance.

Under the bill, a special enrollment period would be offered within 30 days after the pregnancy is confirmed by a licensed health care provider.

Last year, I supported identical legislation to enhance access to prenatal care for uninsured pregnant women.

According to the CDC, women who don’t receive prenatal care are three to four times more likely to die of pregnancy-related complications than women who do, and without this essential prenatal care women and their babies can face costly future complications.

Under federal law, individuals cannot buy insurance outside the yearly Open Enrollment Period unless they experience a qualifying life event, for example – marriage or the birth of a baby.

Pregnancy, however, is not currently classified as a qualifying event in Connecticut.

This proposed legislation would change this so that expectant mothers would be allowed to enroll in health insurance upon becoming pregnant.

If Connecticut can increase access to essential prenatal care and keep mothers and babies healthy, this will continue to translate into better health throughout their entire lives.

You can speak out on behalf of this bill to urge its passage into state law.

1. Send a brief email to [email protected]
2. Reference Senate Bill 206 in the subject line
3. Copy me at [email protected]
4. Share this information.

The bill can be read here:  www.cga.ct.gov/2018/TOB/s/pdf/2018SB-00206-R00-SB.pdf