Planned Parenthood Great Rivers’ Post

Arkansas is one of only TWO states that have not yet expanded Medicaid postpartum coverage to 12 months after a person gives birth. Their alternative “solution,” which transfers new parents to a different program with different doctors just six weeks days after giving birth, is leaving people stranded with gaps in care. The first year after giving birth is a crucial time for both maternal and infant health. New parents shouldn’t have to deal with difficult paperwork and administrative hurdles, they should be able to focus on bonding with their child and keeping their family healthy. Arkansas’ convoluted and burdensome approach to care falls short of what people need to stay healthy after giving birth. It’s time to join the other 48 states and DC in extending Medicaid coverage to a full 12 months postpartum.

In 2022, after already reporting the worst infant and maternal mortality rates among high-income countries, the United States saw its infant mortality rate rise for the first time in two decades. These outcomes were gravest for Black Americans, who are three times more likely than white Americans to die from pregnancy-related complications. In December, Massachusetts became the 13th state to cover doula services under Medicaid, and 11 others are preparing to launch their own programs. Amy Chen, a senior attorney who leads the National Health Law Program’s Doula Medicaid Project, has seen a steady increase in the number of doula-related bills proposed each year since 2018. https://lnkd.in/eXBJKqku

Exciting news for expectant parents in New York! As part of efforts to lower infant and maternal mortality rates, New York's Medicaid program will now pay for doulas to help care for expectant parents before, during and after childbirth. Why is this important? The New York State Commissioner noted that there is a high maternal mortality rate in New York, especially among minorities. By providing more access to doula care, birthing parents will be able to receive better care and health outcomes. This is a significant step forward in ensuring equitable and accessible maternal care for all New Yorkers. Learn more in the article here: https://lnkd.in/gVDxjKbS #MaternalCare #DoulaCare #healthcareaccess #healthequity #NYState #healthoutcomes #ARCFertility

There have been a number new initiatives by federal and state governments aimed at improving #maternalhealth and #infanthealth announced recently. The #TMaH Model from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services provides state Medicaid agencies with funding to build sustainable care models that address #maternalmortality and #healthequity. In #newyork, our home state, the creation of social care networks and enhanced maternity care management are included in the recently approved 1115 Waiver Amendment. We are excited about these initiatives because they target the fundamental causes of adverse pregnancy outcomes and necessitate the creation of scalable systems dedicated to providing personalized, comprehensive whole-person care. With funding that transcends isolated solutions and narrow strategies with limited timelines, both payors and providers are poised to create enduring and transformative change. #maternalhealthawareness #maternalhealthmatters

Kudos to Jennifer Kowalski and the entire Elevance Health Public Policy Institute team for releasing an important new report demonstrating how offering doula services to pregnant women through #Medicaid managed care plans can successfully reduce #maternalhealth disparities and improve outcomes for pregnant women. The report is available here: https://bit.ly/4bBcUxx

It's not breaking news because Black Mamas already knew this was a fact 🙃🙄 but a new study confirmed that childbirth is deadlier in the United States than in any other high-income nation. More than 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States are preventable, but factors including a shortage of maternity care providers, limited access to after-birth home visits and lack of guaranteed paid parental leave have increased the risk of maternal mortality, especially for Black people. In 2022, about 22 maternal deaths occured for every 100,000 live births in the U.S...but for Black mamas, that number rose sharply to 49.5 deaths per 100,000. Two out of three maternal deaths occur up to 42 days after birth, highlighting the importance of postpartum care, which only some state Medicaid programs and private health insurers cover. We demand better. Our lives depend on it. Join our movement at motheringjustice.org All info courtesy of The Commonwealth Fund. Read the study at: https://lnkd.in/g6hHuhsD

Qualified healthcare providers can now apply and undergo training to participate in the Mississippi Division of #Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women program.   Under Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women (PEPW), eligible pregnant individuals can receive coverage for ambulatory prenatal care services while their full Medicaid application is being processed. PEPW aims to improve individuals’ access to Medicaid and covered services by providing another channel to apply for coverage.   To make PEPW determinations, a provider must:  - Participate as a Medicaid provider. - Be an OB/GYN, primary care provider, Federally Qualified Health Center, Rural Health Clinic, or Mississippi Department of Health employee. - Submit a qualified provider application to PE.PregnantWomen@Medicaid.MS.gov. - When approved, submit an executed Memorandum of Understanding. - Agree to make PEPW determinations consistent with Medicaid’s policies and procedures. - Not be disqualified from making PE determinations for failure to meet performance standards.   By becoming a presumptive eligibility provider, healthcare facilities can play a pivotal role in delivering early intervention services that contribute to positive maternal and infant health outcomes. For more information about PEPW, visit https://lnkd.in/ghTUYRvR.

Qualified healthcare providers can now apply and undergo training to participate in the Mississippi Division of #Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women program.   Under Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women (PEPW), eligible pregnant individuals can receive coverage for ambulatory prenatal care services while their full Medicaid application is being processed. PEPW aims to improve individuals’ access to Medicaid and covered services by providing another channel to apply for coverage.   To make PEPW determinations, a provider must:  - Participate as a Medicaid provider. - Be an OB/GYN, primary care provider, Federally Qualified Health Center, Rural Health Clinic, or Mississippi Department of Health employee. - Submit a qualified provider application to PE.PregnantWomen@Medicaid.MS.gov. - When approved, submit an executed Memorandum of Understanding. - Agree to make PEPW determinations consistent with Medicaid’s policies and procedures. - Not be disqualified from making PE determinations for failure to meet performance standards.   By becoming a presumptive eligibility provider, healthcare facilities can play a pivotal role in delivering early intervention services that contribute to positive maternal and infant health outcomes. For more information about PEPW, visit https://lnkd.in/gCEiYyai.

Qualified healthcare providers can now apply and undergo training to participate in the Mississippi Division of #Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women program.   Under Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women (PEPW), eligible pregnant individuals can receive coverage for ambulatory prenatal care services while their full Medicaid application is being processed. PEPW aims to improve individuals’ access to Medicaid and covered services by providing another channel to apply for coverage.   To make PEPW determinations, a provider must:  - Participate as a Medicaid provider. - Be an OB/GYN, primary care provider, Federally Qualified Health Center, Rural Health Clinic, or Mississippi Department of Health employee. - Submit a qualified provider application to PE.PregnantWomen@Medicaid.MS.gov. - When approved, submit an executed Memorandum of Understanding. - Agree to make PEPW determinations consistent with Medicaid’s policies and procedures. - Not be disqualified from making PE determinations for failure to meet performance standards.   By becoming a presumptive eligibility provider, healthcare facilities can play a pivotal role in delivering early intervention services that contribute to positive maternal and infant health outcomes. For more information about PEPW, visit https://lnkd.in/gCEiYyai.

The Governor has signed House Bill 5142 into law, a piece of legislation that aims to ensure that in Illinois we are working to lower the infant and maternal mortality rates for Black Illinoisans, regardless of whether they reside in an urban or rural setting. In March of 2023, the March of Dimes Report Card gave Illinois a rating of D+for our maternal and infant health ratings across the state. This report also highlighted the alarming health inequities that black Illinoisans faced in comparison to other racial groups. The report stated that with the expansion of health programs like medicaid, we can all work to combat these systematic health disparities. With this law now signed into law,. insurers that provide state regulated health care plans will now have to cover pregnancy and postpartum services for covered individuals for up to 12 months after the end of a pregnancy. Under the leadership of Senator Lakesia Collins and Majority Leader Robyn Gabel, this bill is going to make an impact on people's lives, and finally address a racial barrier in our public health institutions. Read the bill, and it's different provisions, here: https://lnkd.in/gDuHjUMA