Press Release: Expanding Health Insurance Access for Pregnant Women

News Release — Ward 3 DC Council member Mary Cheh

December 17, 2019

Communications Director: Kelly Whittier

Pregnancy as a Qualifying Event Act of 2019

Bill will enable pregnant women to enroll in private health insurance outside of the open enrollment period in order to receive critical prenatal care

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, December 17^th, Councilmember Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3) and Councilmember Vincent Gray (D-Ward 7) co-introduced the “Pregnancy as a Qualifying Event Act of 2019” to enable pregnant women to enroll in health insurance outside of the open enrollment period. Currently, individuals may only enroll in private health insurance programs during the open enrollment period or during what is considered to be a “special enrollment period” that follows a qualifying life event.

In the District, qualifying life events include major milestones such as marriage, the loss of insurance, and childbirth. However, this list does not include pregnancy.

“If we are to address the District’s significant disparities in maternal and infant health, then we need to eliminate the barriers women face in accessing early and consistent prenatal care—and access to health insurance is critical. By adding pregnancy as a qualifying life event and eliminating this health care gap, this legislation will help reduce pregnancy-related health risks and improve birth outcomes in the District,” said Councilmember Cheh.

A copy of the legislation is attached.

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