Maternal health in the United States is in a state of crisis – we have the highest maternal mortality rate of any high-income nation. It’s also an issue that is incredibly personal to countless families. There are high disparities in maternal healthcare across the country, especially among women of color and in rural communities. As the new administration and Congress take office, this presents an opportunity to address inequities in maternal health care and improve access to prenatal and postpartum care by passing legislation that prioritizes the health and wellbeing of mothers.
On Maternal Health Awareness Day (January 23), legislators, health care professionals and families alike can raise awareness about maternal health issues, including maternal mortality and morbidity, access to quality health care and improving the outcomes for mothers before and after pregnancy. For example, we can call attention to the fact that more than 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. At Ascension, our medical professionals go to tremendous lengths to ensure mothers and their babies receive the highest quality care, working to make it accessible to all, especially the poor and vulnerable. That’s why we support several necessary public policy solutions that would further equip providers like us to confront remaining maternal health challenges head on.
Ascension’s National Birthing Impact
Ascension’s birthing units nationwide have delivered between 72,000 and 78,000 babies annually, representing one out of every 50 babies born in the U.S. each year. This number has remained level despite declining birth rates across the country. Our commitment to maternal health care is evident through the success of our community engagement efforts and clinical excellence.
Empowering Mothers with Maternal Health Navigators
Ascension dedicates resources that align with the needs of our communities to ensure all our patients have access to high quality care. To this end, Ascension deploys resources and support within our communities from our Maternal Health Social System Initiative (MHSSI). This initiative provides support for mothers through a dedicated "maternal health navigator" who supports the patient for nine to 12 months through prenatal-specific health education and support. Since our nation is struggling with high maternal morbidity and mortality rates, this initiative partners our health care workers with patients to respond to nonclinical needs to improve health outcomes for patients and their babies. This initiative has already seen positive results, including a decrease in missed appointments and an increase in the percentage of pregnancies reaching term and more babies being born at an ideal weight.
Addressing Maternal Health Inequities Through Social Determinants of Health
To address inequities in maternal health care, Ascension uses its Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) screening tool that compiles information from patients about various social and environmental factors and provides critical data to better understand the impacts on health outcomes. More than four million SDOH screenings have been collected since 2020. With this data, Ascension is driving change and better addressing the needs of the communities we serve.
Providing an Equitable Food Program for New Mothers in Need
Ascension’s Food is the Best Medicine (FBM) is a program to support mothers who identify as food insecure. FBM provides the equivalent of 120 nutritious meals and fresh foods to mothers during the critical 8-week postpartum period, working to decrease the high rate of maternal deaths and morbidity cases, which are higher among minority populations who struggle to access healthy, nutritious foods.
In addition, we have also made a commitment to address food insecurity within our communities nationally to support the health and wellbeing of families.
Advocating for Legislation to Address the Maternal Health Care Crisis
While Ascension employs its own initiatives to ensure high quality health care for mothers, we also advocate for public policy solutions to improve the maternal health care environment in the United States, and legislators have an important role to play in removing obstacles to equitable health care access. This includes passing the Momnibus Act, a comprehensive package of bills that addresses every driver of maternal mortality, morbidity and disparities. The Momnibus priorities directly align with Ascension's Mission to provide care for all persons with special attention to the poor and vulnerable, including further investments in SDOH, funding to community-based organizations, support for mothers with maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders and investing in digital tools to improve maternal health outcomes in rural or underserved areas.
The shortage of health care workers, including obstetricians, nurses, and midwives, is another major driver of the maternal health crisis. While many areas lack adequate care providers, women face increased risks during pregnancy and childbirth, leading to preventable deaths and complications. Ascension promotes policies to support the perinatal workforce including:
- The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act, which provides funding for mental health and wellness programs for health care workers,
- Reauthorizing and increasing funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Titles VII and VIII workforce programs, which provide training and educational opportunities for nurses and physicians,
- Continued investment into the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), which awards scholarships to health students and provides graduates with loan repayments in return for serving underserved communities,
- Increasing Graduate Medical Education (GME) to expand and support direct GME funding to cover residency training, especially in rural or underserved areas, to address workforce shortages in critical communities that lack maternal health care facilities.
Through initiatives focused on improving maternal health, and pushing for policy reforms, Ascension seeks to not only improve the health of the mothers it serves but also drive change to maternal health care delivery in this country. By working with the community, health care leaders and policymakers, Ascension is focused on expanding access to essential care and improving the wellbeing and maternal health outcomes for all mothers.
