State Announces Broad Outlines of Plan to Reduce Infant Mortality
State Announces Broad Outlines of Plan to Reduce Infant Mortality Initial Focus on Three Counties
To address Maryland’s high infant mortality rate, the State will expand services to women before they become pregnant, expedite Medicaid enrollment for pregnant women so that they get earlier prenatal care, and ensure that high-risk women receive more intensive services after pregnancy. The initiative will initially focus on Baltimore City and Prince George’s and Somerset Counties. The following graphic illustrates the proposed initiative.
Advocates for Children and Youth has closely tracked Maryland's tragically poor birth outcomes and set forth various cost-effective solutions. The State's plan generally follows these recommendations and builds on existing efforts. As the plan is fleshed out, the following are critical opportunities:
Federal funding for preconception care: If Maryland expands its definition of "family planning" to include a broader array of health care services needed by women prior to pregnancy, the federal government will pay for 90 percent of the costs. The State still needs to come up with its 10 percent, which may seem difficult in tight fiscal times. However, the State will more than recover this expense during the course of the same fiscal year by avoiding the cost of expensive medical care for sick and low birthweight babies.
Emphasis on home visiting: The plan seeks to build upon an initiative in Baltimore City which relies heavily on visits to pregnant women in their homes. This is one of the most effective ways to ensure that women are receiving effective prenatal care. President Obama has proposed a significant increase in federal funding for home visiting programs that adhere to best practice, and the State should compete aggressively for these funds.
One stop application process: The plan appropriately seeks to lower barriers to the enrollment of pregnant women in health insurance and reduce delays in the first visit to the doctor. One important strategy will be to allow women to apply for health insurance, food stamps and other benefits at one time, in various community centers across the State. Right now, too many women are having to complete multiple applications at different locations, submit the same documents many times and undergo unnecessary face-to-face interviews.
More services for at-risk women: The plan seeks to increase post-partum care for women who have had a difficult pregnancy. This is a wise move because these women are most at risk for a second difficult pregnancy. A key element will be ensuring that the managed care organizations provide the post-partum care already required and for which the State is already paying.
