CMS approves 12-month postpartum Medicaid/CHIP coverage in Alabama & North Dakota, joining 26 other states & DC!

via the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services:

January 11, 2023: CMS marked another important maternal health milestone by approving  Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) postpartum coverage expansions in Alabama and a Medicaid postpartum coverage expansion in North Dakota through the American Rescue Plan (ARP). Nationally, more than 439,000 people across 28 states and the District of Columbia now have access to Medicaid and CHIP coverage for a full 12 months following pregnancy — up from just 60 days before the ARP. Postpartum coverage extensions form one of the cornerstones of CMS’ Maternity Care Action Plan — part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis. Click here and here to learn more about Alabama’s approvals, and here to learn more about North Dakota’s approval.

This is welcome news, of course, but it's mildly interesting that CMS didn't issue a full-blown press release for the Alabama & N. Dakota approvals when they've done so for every other state which has extended postpartum coverage to a full year.