Georgia is on its way to joining more than a handful of states in providing Medicaid coverage up to one year postpartum. 

The proposal, Senate Bill 338, received approval in the House in a 142-18 vote late Monday night  and now heads to the governor for signature. The bill had received unanimous approval in the Senate in early February.

Once signed by the governor, postpartum Medicaid coverage would be extended from six months to one year. The proposal is backed by $28.2 million in Gov. Brian Kemp’s proposed Fiscal Year 2023 budget.Many states such as Alabama and Mississippi only cover up to 60 days postpartum. Last year, the state had elected to extend Medicaid state plan benefits from 60 days to six months to postpartum women with incomes up to 220% of the federal poverty level. See more here.