White House releases blueprint to improve maternal health
The White House last week released its , which takes actions at the federal level to combat maternal mortality and morbidity. Among the provisions to advance equitable maternal health are extending Medicaid and the Children鈥檚 Health Insurance Plan coverage for one year postpartum; strengthening federal maternal health programs; bolstering research efforts; addressing behavioral health needs; promoting cultural competency training; growing and diversifying the perinatal workforce; and confronting the societal factors that influence health. The blueprint鈥檚 release coincided with a finding maternal deaths increased during the pandemic, especially among Hispanic and Black women. The American Hospital Association鈥檚 Aisha Syeda, MPH, senior program manager, strategic initiatives, wrote in a 鈥渓everaging data and patient stories can empower all of us to advocate for equitable policies, more culturally competent care and a safer birthing experience for women of color.鈥