Mo. program extends prenatal care to low-income women

A Missouri program designed to extend prenatal care access to low-income pregnant women went into effect at the start of the year.

The Show-Me Health Babies Program allows pregnant women with incomes up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level to receive labor, delivery and birth services through the MO HealthNet Division of the state Department of Social Services, according to a news release from Gov. Jay Nixon’s office.

Nixon said the program would extend health care services to an estimated 1,800 women per year. Services also would include 60-day postpartum coverage and coverage for their children for up to a year after they’re born.

“All pregnant women should have access to quality prenatal care,” Nixon said in the release. “Greater access to quality prenatal care will mean healthier moms, healthier kids and healthier communities.”

Recently approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Nixon signed legislation to create the program in 2014. The program was contained in Senate Bill 754, a comprehensive set of health care modifications.

To participate in the program, women must not be eligible for Medicaid coverage administered by the state or affordable health care insurance through their employer or otherwise.

The program, which became effective Jan. 1, can be accessed via MyDSS.mo.gov.