HB 10 aims to expand maternal care and mental health care for expecting moms

FRANKFORT, KY. (WTVQ) — House Bill 10 is up for debate, aiming to expand maternal care in the state and just recently.

“The maternal mortality numbers here in Kentucky are very high,” says Rep. Kim Moser, who is one of the co-sponsors of the bill.

In Kentucky about 46% of counties are considered maternity care deserts.
Representative Moser says HB10 establishes a lifeline for moms.

“We are expanding the hands program to include lactation education, consultation, coverage for supplies, bolstering a maternal infant collaborative, doing some doula research, and that I mean, it’s it’s just a comprehensive look at how we can address the maternal mortality numbers here,” she says.

The bill also allows for telehealth services, and remote patient monitoring, from pregnancy to postpartum.

“I think that’s a really positive aspect and certainly gives those new moms and new families hope and especially when, you’re exhausted after the birth of the baby and the baby is hungry all the time. And, and you just need support,” said Moser.

While the bill tackles mental health before, during, and after pregnancy, it also handles substance use disorder.

“As either fathers or grandfathers, I think that everyone, regardless of whether you have given birth, can really relate to this and understand the need,” she also says.

The bill also gives temporary health insurance to expecting mothers, however since abortions are illegal in Kentucky, abortions will not be covered.

Representative Moser also sponsors House Bill 467, which is aimed at providing perinatal palliative care.

“The mortality rate in Kentucky, according to the CDC right now puts us at number two in the nation in deaths following the, the birth of a baby, it’s unacceptable so this is this is one way to or really several ways to address that,” also said Moser.

House Bill 10 unanimously passed the House last week, and now heads to the Senate.

The bill would also help establish pregnancy as a qualifying life event to be covered by insurance.