Medicaid covers more than four in ten births nationally and the majority of births in several states. This survey asked states about the specific maternity services they cover. The range […]
Policymakers Have More Work to Do to Address the Black Maternal Health Crisis
Policymakers Have More Work to Do to Address the Black Maternal Health Crisis
This blog compares the provisions of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus, FY22 Appropriations, and FY23 President’s Budget proposals. FY22 Omnibus Appropriations bill are enacted. Items included in the President’s Budget […]
Improving Our Maternity Care Now Through Community Birth Settings
Improving Our Maternity Care Now Through Community Birth Settings
Care in birth center and planned home birth settings that is led by Black, Indigenous, People of Color is a crucial approach for meeting the needs of communities affected by […]
Listening to and Justly Partnering with Community-Led Perinatal Health Solutions
Listening to and Justly Partnering with Community-Led Perinatal Health Solutions
State Title V/Maternal and Child Health (MCH) programs across the United States are eager to implement solutions created with communities to urgently close racial disparities in maternal health outcomes. There […]
Extending Postpartum Medicaid Coverage: State Pathways and Policy Impacts
Extending Postpartum Medicaid Coverage: State Pathways and Policy Impacts
Medicaid covers nearly half of all births in the United States. As such, state actions to change aspects of the program, like the length of coverage during the postpartum period, […]
CMS Issues Guidance on New Postpartum Coverage State Option in Medicaid and CHIP
CMS Issues Guidance on New Postpartum Coverage State Option in Medicaid and CHIP
This article from the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University Health Policy Institute unpacks guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to states implementing the […]
Virginia Invests in Doulas to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes
Virginia Invests in Doulas to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes
The United States is facing a maternal health crisis with poor maternal health outcomes. Across the country, states have adopted many strategies to address maternal mortality and morbidity. One state […]
State-Level Social and Economic Policies and Their Association With Perinatal and Infant Outcomes
State-Level Social and Economic Policies and Their Association With Perinatal and Infant Outcomes
State-level social and economic policies have the potential to reduce adverse perinatal and infant health outcomes in the United States. Those states with the least expansive policies should therefore consider […]
Maternal Mortality Review Committees: Sharing Power with Communities
Maternal Mortality Review Committees: Sharing Power with Communities
This report summarizes the findings of an environmental scan conducted by a project team within the Black Mamas Matter Alliance in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention […]
The Cycle to Respectful Care: A Qualitative Approach to the Creation of an Actionable Framework to Address Maternal Outcome Disparities
The Cycle to Respectful Care: A Qualitative Approach to the Creation of an Actionable Framework to Address Maternal Outcome Disparities
Abstract Despite persistent disparities in maternity care outcomes, there are limited resources to guide clinical practice and clinician behavior to dismantle biased practices and beliefs, structural and institutional racism, and […]
A Racial Equity Framework for Assessing Health Policy
A Racial Equity Framework for Assessing Health Policy
Public policy is a powerful determinant of racial inequity in health, but we lack tools for examining how the entire policymaking process impacts racial inequities. The Racial Equity and Policy […]
Advancing Health Equity Through Improved Access to Patient-Centered Contraceptive Care
Advancing Health Equity Through Improved Access to Patient-Centered Contraceptive Care
In Advancing Health Equity Through Improved Access to Patient-Centered Contraceptive Care, Families USA brings the latest and most relevant patient-centered outcomes research to bear on the issue of patient-centered contraceptive […]
Bright Spots: Highlighting Sucessful State Policies to Improve Maternal and Child Health Outcomes
Bright Spots: Highlighting Sucessful State Policies to Improve Maternal and Child Health Outcomes
As state advocates prepare for the 2022 legislative sessions, this paper highlights a series of examples of state-level policies that prioritize the health of families by investing in intergenerational approaches. […]
Perinatal Cannabis Use in the Era of Increasing Legalization: Considerations for State MCH Programs
Perinatal Cannabis Use in the Era of Increasing Legalization: Considerations for State MCH Programs
Approximately one in 20 people report using cannabis while pregnant, making it the most used federally illicit substance by pregnant people in the U.S., according to SAMSHA. The potential harms […]
Mind the Gap Strategic Action Plan
Mind the Gap Strategic Action Plan
Mind the Gap is a National Initiative led by Postpartum Support International and a broad-based stakeholder coalition comprised of leading experts from national professional and advocacy organizations. Based on a […]
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice
This issue of the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice describes public health interventions designed to address structural racism. These interventions might be expected to have an impact on […]
Maternal Telehealth Access Project (MTAP)
Maternal Telehealth Access Project (MTAP)
Maternal Telehealth Access Project was funded in May 2020 for one year by the CARES Act to increase access to quality maternity care and services via telehealth during (and beyond) […]
Improving Our Maternity Care Now Through Midwifery
Improving Our Maternity Care Now Through Midwifery
Research shows that there are specific care models that can make a concrete difference in improving maternity care quality and producing better outcomes, especially for birthing people of color. One […]
Underserved Populations in Healthcare: 5 Ways to Bridge the Gap
Underserved Populations in Healthcare: 5 Ways to Bridge the Gap
This guide provides detailed insights and resources on the following topics: A Look into What are Health Inequities Bridging Health Equality for African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, New Mothers, People […]
Reversing the US Maternal Mortality Crisis
Reversing the US Maternal Mortality Crisis
The Aspen Health Strategy Group met in October 2020 to take on hard questions related to the maternal mortality crisis and to develop a portfolio of five recommendations to address […]
Do No Harm Guide: Applying Equity Awareness in Data Visualization
Do No Harm Guide: Applying Equity Awareness in Data Visualization
Urban Institute | Jonathan Schwabish, Alice Feng Resource Summary This guide discusses how to use an equity lens in every step of the data process: from data collection to presentation. The authors interviewed 20 individuals who approach inclusivity in their […]
Black Reproductive Justice Policy Agenda
Black Reproductive Justice Policy Agenda
Reproductive Justice sheds light on the multiple combined forms of oppression that contribute to the reproductive oppression of women of color. This Agenda presents proactive policy solutions grounded in a […]
Bridging the Chasm between Pregnancy and Health over the Life Course: A National Agenda for Research and Action
Bridging the Chasm between Pregnancy and Health over the Life Course: A National Agenda for Research and Action
Abstract Background Many pregnant people find no bridge to ongoing specialty or primary care after giving birth, even when clinical and social complications of pregnancy signal need. Black, indigenous, and […]
Confronting Health Misinformation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Building a Healthy Information Environment
Confronting Health Misinformation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Building a Healthy Information Environment
Excerpt During the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been exposed to a great deal of information: news, public health guidance, fact sheets, infographics, research, opinions, rumors, myths, falsehoods, and more. The […]
A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Abstract Involvement of patients and the public is now recognized to be essential for the good conduct of research. Patient and public involvement in research priority setting and funding decisions […]
Doula Care in the United States
Doula Care in the United States
“The lack of uniformity in federal requirements for doula certification makes it difficult to assess how many doulas there are in the United States.” This report provides insight to how […]
Achieving Breastfeeding Equity and Justice
in Black Communities:
Past, Present, and Future
Achieving Breastfeeding Equity and Justice
in Black Communities:
Past, Present, and Future
This paper was published in June 2021 in Breastfeeding Medicine. Authors: Ifeyinwa V. Asiodu, Kimarie Bugg, and Aunchalee E.L. Palmquist AbstractBackground: Breastfeeding is protective of maternal and infant health across the life […]
Maternal Mortality in the United States: A Primer
Maternal Mortality in the United States: A Primer
Understanding the evidence on maternal mortality and its causes is a key step in crafting health care delivery and policy solutions at the state or federal level. This data brief […]
Advancing Racial Equity in Maternal Mental Health Policy
Advancing Racial Equity in Maternal Mental Health Policy
This brief offers a variety of strategies that policymakers and advocates can use to advance racial equity in maternal mental health. It offers effective models from communities across the country […]
Analysis of Federal Bills to Strengthen Maternal Healthcare
Analysis of Federal Bills to Strengthen Maternal Healthcare
Summaries of several bills on maternal health currently pending in Congress.
Maternal Mortality Review Committees
Maternal Mortality Review Committees
Detailed accounting of MMRCs in all 50 states with useful tables comparing across multiple dimension.
Eliminating Racial Disparities in Maternal and Infant Mortality A Comprehensive Policy Blueprint
Eliminating Racial Disparities in Maternal and Infant Mortality A Comprehensive Policy Blueprint
This report provides a comprehensive policy framework to eliminate racial disparities in maternal and infant mortality. Too often, policy conversations about maternal and infant health take place separately despite the […]
The Maternity Medical Home: The Chassis for a More Holistic Model of Pregnancy Care?
The Maternity Medical Home: The Chassis for a More Holistic Model of Pregnancy Care?
Many health systems and states in the US attempting to scale Triple Aim approaches to care implemented elements of the patient-centered medical home (PCMH) as a foundation in their work. […]
Extending Medicaid Coverage For Postpartum Moms
Extending Medicaid Coverage For Postpartum Moms
Women often struggle to get the care they need in the fourth trimester (the 12 weeks following childbirth). This blog discusses the issues and potential solutions around extending postpartum coverage […]
Women In The United States Experience High Rates Of Coverage ‘Churn’ In Months Before And After Childbirth
Women In The United States Experience High Rates Of Coverage ‘Churn’ In Months Before And After Childbirth
Insurance transitions—sometimes referred to as “churn”—before and after childbirth can adversely affect the continuity and quality of care. Yet little is known about coverage patterns and changes for women giving […]
Expanding Postpartum Medicaid Coverage
Expanding Postpartum Medicaid Coverage
This brief discusses Medicaid’s eligibility for pregnancy and postpartum care, describes gaps in coverage particularly for low-income women who live in states that have not expanded Medicaid under the ACA, […]
Medicaid Expansion Fills Gaps in Maternal Health Coverage Leading to Healthier Mothers and Babies
Medicaid Expansion Fills Gaps in Maternal Health Coverage Leading to Healthier Mothers and Babies
In this paper we review the substantial new research showing the significant improvements in access to health coverage for women of childbearing age achieved through the adoption of the Affordable […]
Improving Access to Maternal Health Care in Rural Communities
Improving Access to Maternal Health Care in Rural Communities
CMS has aligned health policies to its Rural Health Strategy and its new Rethinking Rural Health Initiative and released its first Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Scorecard to […]
CMS Releases State Funding to Improve Integrated Care for Children and Pregnant and Postpartum Women Enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP
CMS Releases State Funding to Improve Integrated Care for Children and Pregnant and Postpartum Women Enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released two highly anticipated initiatives — the Maternal Opioid Misuse (MOM) Model and the Integrated Care for Kids (InCK) Model — which […]
Using Data, Incentives, and Innovation, Three States Work to Improve Maternal Vaccination Rates
Using Data, Incentives, and Innovation, Three States Work to Improve Maternal Vaccination Rates
Three states are trying a number of innovative approaches to increase vaccination rates among pregnant women by providing incentives to health plans, increasing access to vaccinations through pharmacies, and using […]
New Eight-State Policy Academy Advances Access to Care for Pregnant/Parenting Women with SUD
New Eight-State Policy Academy Advances Access to Care for Pregnant/Parenting Women with SUD
Substance use disorders (SUD) and mental health conditions are prevalent among pregnant and parenting women in the United States, and they have far-reaching consequences for the health and well-being of […]
Case Studies: How Tennessee and California Medicaid Programs Promote Access to Postpartum Long-Acting Reversible Contraception
Case Studies: How Tennessee and California Medicaid Programs Promote Access to Postpartum Long-Acting Reversible Contraception
Increasing women’s access to postpartum birth control has the potential to increase the health and well-being of women and their families, and immediate postpartum birth control can lead to a […]
New Jersey’s Project ECHO Builds Provider Capacity to Support Maternal and Child Health during COVID-19
New Jersey’s Project ECHO Builds Provider Capacity to Support Maternal and Child Health during COVID-19
Confronted with a pandemic that impacts the health of women and children – ranging from pregnancy and delivery to access to substance abuse treatment – a consortium of New Jersey […]
Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Environmental Scan
Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Environmental Scan
Conducted by multiple stakeholders, this environmental scan describes the methodology and findings to identify definitions, risk factors, processes, and innovations relevant to maternal morbidity and mortality care delivery and measurement. […]
Maternal Health in the United States: Findings from the Health Resources and Services Administration and Partners
Maternal Health in the United States: Findings from the Health Resources and Services Administration and Partners
A collection of free-to-read articles describing research regarding and initiatives to aid with maternal morality and maternal health in the United States.
Setting the Standard for Holistic Care of and for Black Women
Setting the Standard for Holistic Care of and for Black Women
This paper provides a summary of recommendations that are essential in providing equitable clinical care to women of color.
Four Steps to Address Racism’s Impact on Maternal and Child Health
Four Steps to Address Racism’s Impact on Maternal and Child Health
This article provides a summary of four key strategies which can help those working in maternal and child health better address and respond to the effects of racism.
Advancing Birth Justice: Community-based Doula Models as a Standard of Care for Ending Racial Disparities
Advancing Birth Justice: Community-based Doula Models as a Standard of Care for Ending Racial Disparities
Practical and detailed discussion of the value of doulas and community-based care models for addressing maternal health and equity.
Using Social Determinants of Health Data to Improve Health Care and Health: A Learning Report
Using Social Determinants of Health Data to Improve Health Care and Health: A Learning Report
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation report on “current and potential future uses of SDOH-related data to improve health and health care and promote a Culture of Health.”
Moving Toward Health Equity by Addressing Social Determinants of Health
Moving Toward Health Equity by Addressing Social Determinants of Health
Open access article in the Journal for Women’s Health on the role of nurses around SDoH in maternity care.
Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)
Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)
Open access article in the NEJM Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery Journal that provides an overview of SDoH and health care system work in this area.
Developing Primary Care–Based Recommendations for Social Determinants of Health: Methods of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Developing Primary Care–Based Recommendations for Social Determinants of Health: Methods of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Open access article in the Annals of Internal Medicine on SDoH screening and management. Authors: Karina W. Davidson, PhD, MASc, Alex R. Kemper, MD, MPH, MS, Chyke A. Doubeni, MD, […]
Stage-based implementation of immediated postpartum long-acting reversible contraception using a reproductive justice framework
Stage-based implementation of immediated postpartum long-acting reversible contraception using a reproductive justice framework
The immediate postpartum period is a favorable, safe, and effective time to provide long-acting reversible contraceptives, yet it is not available widely. We describe an innovative hospital-based approach to immediate […]
Addressing Perinatal Mental Health By Building Medical Provider Capacity Through Perinatal Psychiatry Access Programs
Addressing Perinatal Mental Health By Building Medical Provider Capacity Through Perinatal Psychiatry Access Programs
Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program (MCPAP) for Moms to build the capacity of frontline medical providers to address PMH conditions by providing education, consultation, and resources and referrals. MCPAP for […]
Making it Work: Models of Success in Rural Maternity Care
Making it Work: Models of Success in Rural Maternity Care
Identifying and describing common factors and best practices of rural clinician programs and hospital-based obstetric units in rural communities is important as rural hospitals continue to close their obstetric units […]
Community-Based Doulas and Midwives
Community-Based Doulas and Midwives
The coronavirus pandemic further emphasizes the need for a range of accessible, affordable options for pregnancy-related care and support. This report describes the role of community-based providers in addressing the […]
Recommendations of the New Jersey Perinatal Care During COVID-19 Work Group
Recommendations of the New Jersey Perinatal Care During COVID-19 Work Group
A regularly updated report designed for use by healthcare workers, policy makers and others on topics including: Prenatal Care, Triage and Testing Guidance for Facilities, Labor & Delivery, Postpartum Care […]
Maternal Telehealth Has Expanded Dramatically During the COVID-19 Pandemic Equity Concerns and Promising Approaches
Maternal Telehealth Has Expanded Dramatically During the COVID-19 Pandemic Equity Concerns and Promising Approaches
Analysis that explores what promising maternal care telehealth practices have emerged during the pandemic, what access and equity concerns surrounding maternal health have arisen in light of increased reliance on […]
Executive Summary: Tracking Telehealth Changes State-by-State in Response to COVID-19
Beyond the Pandemic: State Policy Options for Supporting Families
Beyond the Pandemic: State Policy Options for Supporting Families
Rigorous research conducted prior to the pandemic has shown that many of the policy changes spurred by COVID-19 can positively impact child and family wellbeing, and this brief highlights several […]
Telehealth Implementation Playbook
Telehealth Implementation Playbook
Playbook that focuses on the implementation of telehealth, defined as real-time audio/visual visits between a physician and patient. This Playbook is designed to support efficient, successful implementation, so physicians, care […]
Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Environmental Scan
Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Environmental Scan
Conducted by multiple stakeholders, this environmental scan describes the methodology and findings to identify definitions, risk factors, processes, and innovations relevant to maternal morbidity and mortality care delivery and measurement. […]
Promoting Access to Care for Women of Reproductive Age with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders in Rural Communities
Promoting Access to Care for Women of Reproductive Age with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders in Rural Communities
This issue brief describes the current challenges in access to care for women of reproductive age with mental health and substance use disorders. It also outlines innovative strategies states are […]
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA): Maternal Health Programs
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA): Maternal Health Programs
To assist Congress as it considers measures on U.S. maternal health, this report provides an overview and the funding history of the five maternal health programs that HRSA administers. For […]
NOWHERE TO GO: MATERNITY CARE DESERTS ACROSS THE U.S. (2020 REPORT)
NOWHERE TO GO: MATERNITY CARE DESERTS ACROSS THE U.S. (2020 REPORT)
This report describes the maternity care desert status of all U.S. counties based on the most recent data on the availability of hospitals, birth centers, health care providers and health […]
Medicaid Coverage of Pregnancy and Perinatal Benefits: Results from a State Survey
Improving Our Maternity Care Now: Four Care Models Decisionmakers Must Implement for Healthier Moms and Babies
Improving Our Maternity Care Now: Four Care Models Decisionmakers Must Implement for Healthier Moms and Babies
Research shows that specific care models make a demonstrable difference in better care, experiences, and birth outcomes. We must take steps to make these widely available. We have identified three […]
State Strategies to Address the Black Maternal Health Crisis
State Strategies to Address the Black Maternal Health Crisis
The inequities laid bare by COVID-19 underscore the importance of states’ efforts to develop policies and interventions to address all health disparities. Systemic racism, a driver of these inequities, also […]
Telehealth in Maternal and Child Health Care
Telehealth in Maternal and Child Health Care
Telehealth is increasingly used across a range of health care specialties of interest to March of Dimes, including obstetrics, maternal-fetal medicine, and mental health. As usage and the evidence base […]
Tracker of Federal Maternal Health Bills (116th Congress)
Tracker of Federal Maternal Health Bills (116th Congress)
The Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) joined with the National Partnership for Women and Families and Every Mother Counts to develop a tracker of Maternal Health Bills introduced in […]
Safeguarding Maternal Health and Rights in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Safeguarding Maternal Health and Rights in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic
This brief from the Center for Reproductive Rights provides guidance for government officials and health care decision makers to ensure that pregnant people have access to high quality, respectful maternal […]
Improving Maternal Health Access, Coverage, and Outcomes in Medicaid
Improving Maternal Health Access, Coverage, and Outcomes in Medicaid
This report reflects the Institute for Medicaid Innovation’s national project to answer critical questions that are needed to advance maternal health, specific to the midwifery-led model of care, for the […]
Four State Strategies to Employ Doulas to Improve Maternal Health and Birth Outcomes in Medicaid
Four State Strategies to Employ Doulas to Improve Maternal Health and Birth Outcomes in Medicaid
This report from the National Academy for State Health Policy highlights how four state programs support doula services to women covered by Medicaid.
Community-Based Maternal Support Services: The Role of Doulas and Community Health Workers in Medicaid
Community-Based Maternal Support Services: The Role of Doulas and Community Health Workers in Medicaid
This report explores how community-based maternal support services provided by community-based doulas and maternity community health workers improve maternal health outcomes. It also highlights the results of a national environmental […]
Trends in Pregnancy Related Deaths and Federal Efforts to Reduce Them
Trends in Pregnancy Related Deaths and Federal Efforts to Reduce Them
In this report, the GAO describes, among other things, (1) trends in pregnancy-related deaths in the United States, including trends in causes and timing of these deaths, and (2) HHS […]