PA House passes Mayes bill to require medical assistance programs to cover at-home blood pressure monitors for pregnant people

HARRISBURG, July 1 -- Legislation that would expand access to blood pressure monitors for Medicaid and CHIP enrollees introduced by state Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, passed the House today (147-55). House Bill 1234 would expand the state’s Medical Assistance programs to cover medically necessary and clinically accurate home blood pressure monitors for pregnant and postpartum enrollees. “I am deeply committed to improving maternal health and birth outcomes. Hypertension affects up to 10% of pregnancies, a rate that has surged 25% over the past two decades and remains a leading cause of maternal and infant mortality, particularly among Black moms and birthing people,” said Mayes, co-chair of the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus. When left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can lead to preeclampsia, eclampsia, preterm birth, heart attack, stroke and even death. “Every pregnancy deserves the highest standard of care, and that includes access to essential tools like home blood pressure monitors. Expanding access through evidence-based practices ensure we are putting the health and lives of pregnant people first, no matter their income,” Mayes said. This bill comes after the House passed H.B. 1088 – introduced by Rep. Mandy Steele, D- Allegheny – earlier this month. That bill requires coverage of at-home blood pressure monitors in private Read more