HB 1628 — An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human Services Code, in public assistance, providing for pregnancy-related and postpartum medical assistance.

PRINTER'S NO.    2733

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 1628
                                               Session of
                                                 2026

     INTRODUCED BY CEPHAS, FIEDLER, HILL-EVANS, SANCHEZ, WAXMAN,
        PIELLI, FREEMAN, RIVERA, BRENNAN, MAYES, VENKAT, GUENST,
        HANBIDGE, HOHENSTEIN, D. WILLIAMS, BELLMON, O'MARA, CIRESI,
        STEELE, GREEN AND CURRY, JANUARY 5, 2026

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, JANUARY 6, 2026


                                    AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), entitled "An
 2      act to consolidate, editorially revise, and codify the public
 3      welfare laws of the Commonwealth," in public assistance,
 4      providing for pregnancy-related and postpartum medical
 5      assistance.
 6      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 7   hereby enacts as follows:
 8      Section 1.    The act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known
 9   as the Human Services Code, is amended by adding a section to
10   read:
11      Section 441.10.    Pregnancy-related and Postpartum Medical
12   Assistance.--(a)    Subject to any necessary Federal approval:
13      (1)   A woman receiving medical assistance under section
14   1902(e)(5) of the Social Security Act (49 Stat. 620, 42 U.S.C. §
15   1396a(e)(5)) shall be eligible for pregnancy-related and
16   postpartum medical assistance for up to an additional twelve
17   months following the birth of the child or a pregnancy that ends
18   in a loss.
 1      (2)    A woman shall be eligible for additional pregnancy-
 2   related and postpartum medical assistance under paragraph (1) if
 3   the woman:
 4      (i)    Is eligible for medical assistance at the time of
 5   delivery.
 6      (ii)     Is not otherwise eligible for medical assistance.
 7      (iii)     Has income less than two hundred fifteen percent of
 8   the Federal poverty income guidelines.
 9      (b)    The department shall seek a State plan amendment or
10   Federal waiver under section 1115 of the Social Security Act (49
11   Stat. 620, 42 U.S.C. § 1315) from the Centers for Medicare and
12   Medicaid Services, if needed, or apply for subsequent extensions
13   of the waiver as necessary for the provision of pregnancy-
14   related and postpartum medical assistance under this section.
15      (c)    If the initial application or subsequent extension for
16   the waiver under subsection (b) does not receive Federal
17   approval, the secretary shall, no later than 180 days after
18   failure to receive Federal approval under subsection (b) is
19   received, submit a report to the Governor and the General
20   Assembly detailing ways the application can be updated to
21   receive Federal approval. The report and application for the
22   waiver shall be updated and resubmitted until the application
23   receives Federal approval.
24      Section 2.    This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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