Missouri set to expand services for pregnant women. Medicaid will begin paying for doulas.
In an emergency rule going into effect Tuesday, the stateās Medicaid health insurance program will begin paying for services provided by doulas ā professionals who support women through pregnancy and up to one year after birth.
āThe goal of these services is to provide a stable source of psychosocial support and education throughout the perinatal period and during the birth,ā the rule filed by the
The bid to boost the use of doulas, who can help reduce cesarean sections and preterm births, as well as increase breastfeeding, is seen as one component in the stateās fight to climb out of the bottom fifth of the nation when it comes to women dying while pregnant or within one year of pregnancy.
In a recent report issued by the
DHSS Director
The report said the pregnancy-related mortality ratio was 32.2 deaths per 100,000 live births, placing the state among the worst in the nation behind a group of southern states including
Nationally, the rate is 23.2 deaths per 100,000 live births, giving the
When compared to other countries, Missouriās rate is worse than
The emergency rule acknowledges the stateās record of futility in addressing the issue.
āIn recent years, the maternal mortality rate in
Agency spokeswoman
āWe are thrilled about this development, as it introduces another option for mothers seeking doula services,ā Watts said in a statement to the
According to the department, the initial cost of the expansion is estimated at
The rule also outlines training and other rules for doulas, including certification from training organizations. In addition to completing continuing education courses, a doula must hold liability insurance, the rule notes.
Medicaid funds pay for nearly 50% of births in
In outlining the stateās high maternal mortality rate, DHSS said that 77% of pregnancy-related deaths were determined to be preventable.
Missouriās embrace of doulas comes after Walmart, the nationās largest private employer, last year expanded its health care coverage for employees who want to enlist the services of a doula.
Walmart said the program is meant to address racial inequities in health care and improve the maternal and infant health of its workers and their babies, especially in areas where access to care may be limited.
Along with the administrationās decision to fund doula services, Missouriās Republican-led Legislature endorsed a plan last year to address maternal mortality issues by providing a yearās worth of medical coverage to new mothers and their babies through the federal Medicaid program.
Support for extending coverage to one year is viewed as a way to address a potential increase in births in the wake of the
Tops among causes of death for pregnant women was cardiovascular disease, followed by mental health conditions and infection.
New report warns the US faces a maternal health care crisis
A new report warns the
Given how much a doula helped
Top health official says maternal death rates in
Moms and babies in
Many advocates talked of the importance of increasing access to doulas, professionals who support women through pregnancy to postpartum
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