The Chicago Department of Public Health has launched an awareness campaign for the state’s expansion of Medicaid coverage through 12 months postpartum. [Health News Illinois]

The effort, backed by the state’s Departments of Public Health and Healthcare and Family Services, includes a new website and work with community partners to ensure Chicagoans know about available health services.

“At CDPH, we aim to educate and inform qualifying residents of the full context of coverage that is available to them through Medicaid,” Chicago health Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo Ige said in a statement.

The push is the latest effort by state leaders to address Illinois’ maternal health crisis. A 2023 IDPH report found Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related medical conditions than white women.

IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said the state’s Healthy Illinois 2028 plan has maternal and infant health as one of its key priorities. 

“This extension of Medicaid coverage through one year after delivery promises to bring measurable improvements in the health of postpartum Illinoisans and their families,” he said.

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