Leticia Loayes is about 7 months pregnant and says she’s very excited for her baby boy to be born. But she’s especially happy that starting tomorrow, she’ll be eligible to enroll in free comprehensive health care coverage for the weeks to come. Loayes is undocumented and currently cannot apply for access to government provided prenatal care because of that.

“This law is a blessing for all moms,” said Loayes, who was born in Guatemala and now lives in Hyattsville, Md.

Effective July 1, thousands of pregnant people in Maryland – regardless of their immigration status – will become eligible for free comprehensive health care coverage.

Under the Healthy Babies Equity Act, also known as HB1080, pregnant residents with an income of up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level but who would not otherwise be eligible due to their immigration status will now have access to Medicaid or the Maryland Children’s Health Program. Their children, up to the age of one year-old, will also have access to the coverage.

“This is literally life saving and life changing,” the Health and Human Services Director for advocacy group CASA, Dr. Michelle LaRue, told DCist/WAMU. “We know that not having good quality prenatal care can affect the morbidity and mortality – it will increase the chances of having complications for both mom and baby.”

Non-citizens will now be able to enroll in the services from the moment they find out that they’re pregnant. Along with becoming eligible for both prenatal and postnatal care of up to four months postpartum, they will have access to mental health care. The coverage will also include dental, lab work, and prescription drug services without copays.

“This is much more than just pregnancy care,” said Ryan Moran, the Deputy Secretary for Health Care Financing and Medicaid Director for the Maryland Department of Health.

On Friday, dozens of advocates and immigrant community members gathered at CASA’s multicultural center in Hyattsville, Md. to celebrate HB1080, which the Department of Health has estimated will make approximately 6,000 pregnant people eligible for comprehensive coverage in its first year.

Among those who praised the enactment were Del. Bonnie Cullison, who previously championed the failed Access to Care Act, which would have allowed all Maryland residents to purchase health insurance regardless of immigration status.

“This law, as it goes into effect and brings the help to so many people, is another stepping stone in us getting full coverage, full insurance for everyone in the state of Maryland,” said Cullison, who represents Maryland’s 19th district in Montgomery County.

According to LaRue, the Healthy Babies Equity Act was passed in 2022 and was initially supposed to go into effect last July but was delayed by a year due to a backlog of work to prepare for its implementation.

Now that it is ready to rollout, state officials say the online application process should be simple and accessible. Residents can apply through a mobile application on both Apple and Android devices, too. Hotlines will also be staffed to help those who primarily speak Spanish or French enroll in the coverage.

“Today is a huge step forward in ensuring that every expectant parent receives care and support that they deserve,” said Moran.

Mary Mendoza, who is about five months pregnant, says she’s grateful for all the help she’s getting as she prepares to bring her baby into the world. Mendoza left Nicaragua about 8 months ago and has since been living in Langley Park, Md.

“The support that we get from the government here – I feel very excited,” Mendoza told DCist/WAMU. “Here we are waiting for our babies.”