The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), recently launched the Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) Model. This innovative 10-year program aimed at bettering maternal health and birth outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women and their infants is particularly geared towards women covered by Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
The TMaH initiative aligns with the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis and the CMS Maternity Care Action Plan. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra stated, “The maternal health crisis in our country is unacceptable. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to addressing this urgent issue and using all available means to eliminate disparities in our health care system.”
Despite high per capita spending on maternity care, the U.S. has higher rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes than any other high-income country. The TMaH Model aims to address this discrepancy by providing personalized care to improve health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum mothers. The model’s objectives include reducing the number of low-risk cesarean sections and instances of severe maternal morbidity.
CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure said, “CMS is taking a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to achieve our goal of making tangible improvements in maternal health and birth outcomes. The Transforming Maternal Health Model furthers our commitment to improve the experience for all pregnant women across the country.”
The TMaH Model also plans to expand access to additional maternal care providers, including midwives, birth centers, and doula services. Each participating state Medicaid agency could receive up to $17 million over the model’s 10-year period.
In addition, states participating in the TMaH Model will work towards earning the CMS “Birthing-Friendly” designation, a first-of-its-kind federal quality designation focused on maternal health. Participating states will also implement evidence-based practices and lessons, such as at-home monitoring for pregnant women diagnosed with conditions that could lead to pregnancy-related complications. Moreover, maternity care providers will screen for and address health-related social needs by connecting mothers to community-based organizations.
This comprehensive approach aims to address the maternal health crisis and improve outcomes for mothers and their newborns across the nation.
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