LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Michael Webber on Tuesday applauded Senate passage of legislation to expand coverage options for expectant mothers, including expanded Medicaid support.
“I’m glad we’re taking up these bills and coming together to do something that will make a real difference for families in communities across the state,” said Webber, R-Rochester Hills. “Expanding access to prenatal care is one of the most meaningful ways we can build stronger families.”
Senate Bills 414 and 415 would require commercial insurance and Medicaid to cover group prenatal care. Group prenatal care brings together pregnant women to learn from each other and their health care provider in a supportive and educational setting.
“By expanding Medicaid coverage to include group prenatal care, we’re removing barriers to a proven resource that improves health outcomes for moms and babies,” Webber said.
The bills are reintroductions of legislation from the previous legislative term that never reached the governor’s desk to be signed into law.
Webber led the charge to get these bills added to the agenda for the Senate Committee on Health Policy and strongly urged the current Democratic majority to take up the bills, which ultimately led to Tuesday’s vote on the Senate floor.
“Both bills had bipartisan support during the last term but unfortunately failed to pass under previous House leadership — they should have been signed into law long ago,” Webber said. “It’s time to end the empty political rhetoric and take our jobs as elected officials seriously by helping more families benefit from this support.”
The bills now head to the House of Representatives for consideration.
###
