Mary Alice Lee, Ph.D.

Despite programs and policies that promote maternal and infant health in Connecticut, undocumented immigrant women in low-income families are not eligible for the HUSKY health insurance program during pregnancy. This means that these expectant mothers are not covered for the preventive care---prenatal risk assessment and health promotion---that can improve maternal health and birth outcomes. While the hospital charges for care during labor and delivery can be covered with emergency Medicaid, babies born to undocumented women--new US citizens--are not automatically eligible for coverage during the first year of life, as are babies born to other mothers with Medicaid coverage. Connecticut can fill this gap with state-funded coverage for undocumented immigrant mothers during pregnancy and with timely eligibility determination for their babies. (February 2007)

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