Proposal To Cut Health Care Funding For Pregnant Women Sparks Sharp Opposition

The legislature’s budget analysts have proposed to phase out Medicaid coverage for pregnant women with incomes between 185% and 250% of the federal poverty line on the basis that these women will qualify for the state health exchange implemented under Obamacare.

But officials from Maryland’s $7 billion Medicaid program argue that this shift would jeopardize access to prenatal screenings and other health services that pregnant women and their babies need.

Budget analyst Simon Powell suggested reducing Medicaid coverage in his report because it would reap significant savings for the Medical Care Programs Administration. It results in a $1.5 million reduction in federal funding and another $1.5 million in reduced spending from Maryland’s general fund.
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