Democrats push for expanded Medicaid coverage of menstrual products
Senior House Appropriations Committee members Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, sent a letter to Medicaid officials Wednesday urging them to include menstrual products in their coverage.
Menstrual products are currently designated as medical devices, which aren’t covered through mandatory or optional benefits.
Their letter said that states currently have the option to provide coverage of menstrual products by including them in demonstration projects or using waiver authority for a period of time but none have chosen to do so.
They cited statistics that say one-quarter of teenagers and one-third of adults say they struggle to afford menstrual products in the United States.
“Cost barriers disproportionately impact the sexual and reproductive health of populations who experience heavier or prolonged periods, and therefore require more menstrual products over time,” the representatives wrote.
“These include people with disabilities that can cause heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome,” they added.
“Moreover, people who experience pregnancy loss and/or have abortions may experience menstrual bleeding or spotting for up to six weeks after.”
Their letter deemed menstrual products an “essential” rather than personal care or hygiene products and encouraged the National Association of Medicaid Directors to classify them the same way.
“Medicaid is a vital federally funded program that ensures that the poorest and most underserved Americans have access to the health care they need,” the letter concluded.
“We look forward to working with Medicaid Directors and other stakeholders to expand the program to improve the menstrual health of beneficiaries.”
Reps. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), and Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) also signed the letter.