As a legislator, a father of three daughters, and now a grandfather, I’ve always believed that how we support mothers and babies says a lot about who we are as a state. It’s why I’ve worked across the aisle to improve maternal health care and ensure new moms have the support they need, not just during pregnancy, but well after birth.

That’s why I’m deeply concerned about House Bill 2041. This bill would cut postpartum Medicaid coverage in half, from 12 months to just six. It’s a move that might save the state under $3 million a year, but the real cost would be measured in lives lost and families broken.

Here’s the reality: According to the Washington State Maternal Mortality Review Panel, nearly one-third of pregnancy-related deaths happen in that critical window after birth, the timeframe when this bill would eliminate coverage. These are not just numbers. These are preventable tragedies, often tied to mental health challenges like suicide and substance use, conditions that can emerge or worsen well after the six-month mark.

In 2021, we did the right thing by passing a bipartisan law I co-sponsored to extend postpartum coverage to a full year, Senate Bill 5068. The goal was simple: save lives and reduce disparities, especially for women in rural areas and communities of color. We knew then, and still know now, that 80% of maternal deaths in our state are preventable.

Rolling back that progress now, especially when 44 other states (many led by Republicans) have chosen to expand postpartum coverage, would make Washington an outlier in the worst way. And it would send a harmful message about our priorities.

This issue also shines a light on racial disparities. American Indian and Alaska Native women in Washington are over eight times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Many of these women rely on Medicaid. Cutting coverage could widen the very gaps we’ve been trying to close.

At the same time, legislation I introduced this year, Senate Bill 5075, which would have ensured comprehensive prenatal and postnatal care with no out-of-pocket costs, was blocked from moving forward by the Democratic majority.

We can’t say we care about equity, maternal health, and families while cutting support for moms during their most vulnerable time.

I’m calling on my colleagues, especially those who have championed maternal health in the past, to stand strong now. Reject HB 2041. Let’s keep our commitment to mothers and babies in Washington.

Sincerely,

Senator Ron Muzzall
10th Legislative District