The Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday that would allow presumptive eligibility for pregnant women for Medicaid.

Lawmakers are hopeful expanding healthcare access will bring down Alabama’s climbing infant and maternal mortality rates.

HB89, brought forth by Rep. Marilyn Lands, D-Huntsville, was amended with a line to repeal the bill in 2028.

Lands said after the bill “sunsets” in three years, the state will go over data to evaluate how it impacts outcomes for mothers and other factors before deciding on how to move forward.

“I’m very excited about this,” Lands said.

“It’s my first bill and it’s been wonderful to have bipartisan support.”

In an op-ed recently published to AL.com, Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover, joined Lands in support of the bill.

“For those who become eligible for Medicaid due to a new pregnancy, the system for obtaining insurance is complicated,” the piece reads.

“No woman can apply for the program without a pregnancy verification letter from a doctor, but many people cannot get in to see a doctor to get this letter because they do not have insurance.”

“Delaying pregnant women’s initial appointment can have devastating effects on both mother and child,” the piece continues.

“Early prenatal visits offer a baseline health check that can address any pre-existing health conditions or preventative care that had been delayed due to being uninsured.”

It adds that “each of these health conditions don’t just hurt the pregnant patients but can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and preterm labor that contribute to Alabama’s high rate of maternal and infant death.”

If passed, HB89 will extend existing benefits under the state Medicaid plan for up to 60 days to women who have not been formally approved for Medicaid coverage but who submit proof of pregnancy and household income information to a qualified provider.

This would allow them to make an appointment with a provider, receive pregnancy verification, and begin prenatal care while the Medicaid approval process is ongoing.

Lands said previously that she believes the bill will significantly improve maternal and infant outcomes and will “save a substantial amount of state dollars through reduced neo-intensive care unit stays and fewer adverse health issues in both moms and babies.”

Lands’ bill now moves over to the Senate for potential passage.

The bill’s cosponsors include Rep. Neil Rafferty, Rep. Barbara Drummond, Rep. Laura Hall, Rep. Phillip Ensler, Rep. Adline Clarke, Rep. Terri Collins, Rep. Susan Dubose, Rep. Jeana Ross, and Rep. Margie Wilcox.

Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham, brought forth the same bill this session as SB102.