ACTION ALERT: HB 133

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What is it?

HB 133 (filed by Rep. Toni Rose) would simply extend Medicaid coverage for Texas moms. Currently these mothers lose their health insurance at 60 days after delivery so this legislation would allow them to continue to see their provider and access comprehensive healthcare services for the entire postpartum year.

What is the Status of HB 133?

As of March 24th, the bill was introduced in the Health and Human Services Committee hearing and left pending.

In order to advance the bill out of committee and to the House floor, it must be voted on and approved by a majority of the Health and Human Services Committee.

Let’s Get HB 133 Moving

Contact Committee Members

This is the easiest way to ensure the Committee members know that the bill has a lot of support and should be voted out of Committee quickly. To simplify the process for you, we’ve gone ahead and linked the buttons below to their email addresses with a pre-filled message about why HB 133 is important. As always, feel free to modify the email to more accurately express your view point and make sure to sign/type your name at the bottom.

Contact Information for the House Health and Human Services Committee

Talking Points About HB 133 and Medicaid Expansion for Moms

  • In Texas, Medicaid is generally only available to children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and some seniors. Texas women can get Medicaid insurance while they are pregnant, but it cuts off 60 days after childbirth, leaving new moms uninsured at a time that is pivotal for their health and their baby’s healthy development. 

  • When a mom becomes uninsured, some health services are available from safety-net clinics, hospital emergency rooms, and the state’s Healthy Texas Women-Plus program, but those options all have significant limitations.

  • Safety-net clinics and hospitals are less available in rural areas. And going to the emergency room incurs significantly higher costs than addressing and managing pregnancy complications before they get worse. This patchwork system is no substitute for health insurance so a new mom can find a mental health therapist, cardiologist, or get medications or other care they need to address pregnancy-related issues.

  • HB 133 would simply extend the length of time a new mom has Medicaid insurance from 2 months to 12 months after pregnancy. A year after pregnancy, Medicaid would end.

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