How CommUnityCare Health Centers is Helping Mothers Thrive Under Medicaid’s Postpartum Expansion
Access to quality care during and after pregnancy is critical for the wellbeing of both mothers and their babies. Historically, Medicaid coverage for postpartum care ended just 60 days after birth, leaving many mothers without necessary follow-up care. Nearly one year ago, the state of Texas took a significant step toward supporting maternal health by extending Medicaid postpartum coverage from 60 days to one year. This change, which went into effect on March 1, 2024, under House Bill 12, has allowed more mothers to access essential healthcare services, particularly those in vulnerable communities.
“Expanding Medicaid up to one year postpartum allows us to better provide continuous care for our mothers,” said Lynce Espinoza, OBGYN Care Coordinator Supervisor at CommUnityCare Health Centers. “So many mothers experience postpartum depression, high blood pressure complications from a difficult delivery, diabetes, and problems with breastfeeding. Beyond medical concerns, they also have to juggle other children in the home, financial stressors, and in some cases, extended NICU stays for their newborns. Limiting access to medical care and mental health support can really impact a new mother’s well-being.”
The CommUnityCare OB Care Coordinator team plays a crucial role in ensuring that women receive the care they need before, during, and after pregnancy.
“One of the things our team does is reengage mothers into postpartum care by scheduling their postpartum appointments before they are even discharged from the hospital. We also assist in scheduling their baby’s first appointment and connect them with community resources,” added Espinoza.
By addressing the social determinants of health—factors like transportation, housing, and access to nutritious food—CommUnityCare Health Centers helps mothers not just survive but thrive.
For Sandy Rodriguez, an Austin resident and longtime CommUnityCare patient, the support she’s received over the years has been invaluable. “They have a wonderful group of people working at CommUnityCare Health Centers, and I love them so much. Thanks to them, I have my four little bundles of joy,” she says with gratitude.
Rodriguez, now a mother of four, has relied on the CommUnityCare OB Care Coordinator team throughout each of her pregnancies. Her most pregnancy was met with complications, navigating preeclampsia complications and her baby spending time in the NICU for several weeks.
“I have nothing but good things to say because all these years that I’ve been with them, anytime I needed something for myself or my kids, all it took was a phone call or a message, and I always got a response back,” Rodriguez shares. “It helps you a lot because it makes you feel that you’re not alone. You have somebody there. When everything feels dark, they remind you that it’s not.”
The expansion of Medicaid postpartum coverage in Texas has made a tangible difference in the lives of countless women and families, especially within vulnerable populations who often face barriers when accessing quality care. Health outcomes such as maternal mental health conditions and mortality rates remain pressing concerns in the state of Texas. Expanding coverage is a strategic step in early identification potentially reducing economic and personal impacts.
Looking ahead, providers at CommUnityCare Health Center remain committed to ensuring that every mother receives the care and resources she needs to thrive beyond childbirth.