AMICUS: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare v. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Executive Summary

The Medicaid Act gives states the option to provide 12 months of continuous coverage to beneficiaries after the end of their pregnancies. Idaho submitted a state plan amendment to take up the option, but with a twist: the State sought to exclude beneficiaries whose pregnancies ended due to an abortion that was not in accordance with Idaho law. CMS denied the SPA, and Idaho filed an administrative appeal. NHeLP filed an amicus brief explaining why CMS was correct to deny the SPA and how the proposed coverage exclusion would lead to worse health outcomes for low-income people in Idaho.