Carper, Capito, Nelson and Scott Lead Bipartisan Call for Increased Focus on Reducing Maternal Mortality in the U.S.
Contact:
Ken Farnaso (Scott) - 202-224-2718
Carper, Capito, Nelson and Scott Lead Bipartisan Call for Increased Focus on Reducing Maternal Mortality in the
14 Democratic and Republican senators urge HHS, CMS to address racial disparities and hospital preparedness
From 2000 to 2014, the rate of maternal mortality, defined as the death of a woman while pregnant or during the one-year period following the date of the end of pregnancy, increased by 26 percent in
The senators highlighted the racial and ethnic disparities in maternal and infant health in
The senators continued, "Research indicates that numerous factors may contribute to these glaring health disparities, including barriers to accessing necessary prenatal and postnatal care, a growing prevalence of chronic conditions, maternal stress, inadequate training for health care providers, racial bias, and social determinants of health. We therefore also ask that you review existing data and provide us with recommendations about what can be done at the federal, state, and local levels to reduce mortality and improve health outcomes for all mothers and their children, regardless of their racial and ethnic background, income level, or educational attainment."
The bipartisan lawmakers also called attention to effective policies that some hospitals have developed to better prepare for pregnancy-related complications that could serve as a model for hospitals nationwide.
The senators wrote, "Although some states have taken significant steps to overcome training, education, and system barriers to reducing maternal mortality, not all hospitals and birth centers have implemented common protocols and comprehensive quality measures to help ensure safe labor and delivery, prenatal and postnatal care. Where protocols exist, they may not be integrated into health care delivery systems and hospitals; systems of accountability and support for patients and clinicians are often lacking."
Joining Senators Carper, Capito, Nelson and Scott were Senators
The text of the letter can be found below and at: https://www.carper.senate.gov/public/cache/files/9/4/9427d846-d191-446a-9ab0-2e61fbb298de/E03BDD837BB7236950767ACA0CA1AC46.final-maternal-mortality-letter-to-hhs-cms-2-004-.pdf.
The Honorable
Secretary
The Honorable Seema Verma
Administrator
Dear Secretary Azar and Administrator Verma:
From 2000 to 2014, the rate of maternal mortality, defined as the death of a woman while pregnant or during the one-year period following the date of the end of pregnancy, increased by 26 percent in
Racial and ethnic disparities in maternal and infant health are especially of concern.
The frustration and urgency over the high rate of maternal mortality is compounded by research determining that roughly 60 percent of maternal deaths in
With these challenges in mind, we ask that you respond to the questions below by
1. When controlling for health, socio-economic and other key factors such as the fact that individuals in Medicaid are often poorer, sicker, and more likely to suffer from the effects of health disparities, what is the rate of maternal and infant mortality for individuals covered by Medicaid and CHIP" Are there limitations or inconsistencies in this data" If so, how can data quality be ensured" If this data is unavailable, what are the barriers to collecting this data?
2. CMS has identified 13 maternal and perinatal health measures for voluntary reporting by state Medicaid and CHIP agencies. How many states are consistently reporting this data in 2018? How is this data being used to inform CMS guidance and policy development?
3. How many states have implemented a value-based payment approach and/or new maternal care delivery model (e.g. group prenatal care, maternity care homes, birth centers) to improve maternal and infant health outcomes" How have states used such payment approaches and models to track and improve the prevalence of poor maternal health outcomes, such as preeclampsia, cardiomyopathy, blood clots, hemorrhage, and depression, and associated risk factors" Have certain value-based payment approaches or care delivery models resulted in improvements in the rate of occurrence and treatment of these conditions?
4. While CMS has issued guidance allowing state Medicaid programs to reimburse for the services of nurse-midwives and other maternal health professionals, uptake of these services remains low. How do states and CMS evaluate the quality of prenatal and postnatal care provided by various types of health care providers?
5. Since 2000, what economic, social, and health policy factors may have contributed to the increase in maternal mortality rates?
6. What other initiatives are the
We thank you for your attention to these important matters and we look forward to working with you to ensure the health of all mothers and their newborn children.
Sincerely,
CCC Collision Parts E-commerce Solution Now Features FCA US Parts
POLL: Gina Raimondo, Sheldon Whitehouse holding strong leads with election a month away
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News