Healthcare (Children's Health)

The Postpartum Lifeline Act requires states to provide 12 months of continuous Medicaid and CHIP coverage for pregnant individuals, replacing the previous 60-day postpartum coverage limit. It directly affects low-income pregnant and postpartum individuals enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, ensuring they maintain health coverage through the first year after pregnancy. The bill repeals the existing provision that restricted coverage to pregnancy-related services for only 60 days and mandates full coverage for all medical needs during the 12-month period. States must comply with this requirement starting no later than one year after the bill's enactment, though they may choose an earlier effective date. This policy change eliminates a major gap in postpartum care access for eligible individuals.