WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday announced an expansion of a federal program that provides health care coverage for lower-income women for up to a year after they give birth.
The federal government, using money from the $1.9 trillion stimulus law signed last year, announced access to the program for three additional states — Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico — along with Washington, D.C.
The number of jurisdictions providing the benefit stands at 15. The program gives health benefits — including pelvic exams, vaccinations and screenings — through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program to qualifying families. Previously, mothers were only covered for two months after giving birth. Administration officials would not say what the expansion will cost.
