Addressing inequalities in maternal health care
Medi-Cal members have a higher maternal mortality rate than people with commercial insurance. Poor maternal health outcomes disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color, particularly those in rural areas of the South Central Valley and Northeast/Northern Central Valley. California.
This initiative will bring improvements to the state’s maternal care system, particularly for pregnant Medi-Cal members and their infants, who traditionally experience disparities in maternal health care access and outcomes. The TMaH model will focus on areas with the greatest need for intervention and resources. DHCS will implement the TMaH model in five Central Valley counties (Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, and Tulare).TMaH Model Details.
The TMaH model will provide $17 million in funding over the life of the program. The TMaH model will provide valuable insights into the impact of value-based care models on maternal health. It will focus on improving care coordination, improving provider training, and providing holistic support that addresses social factors of health, including housing, food security and transportation.
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In September, Governor Newsom signed AB 2319, a landmark bill aimed at reducing racial and ethnic disparities in maternal and child health care outcomes by expanding and strengthening implicit bias training for providers health care in California. In 2021, he signed SB 65, the California Momnibus Act, designed to improve maternal and child outcomes, particularly for families of color.
In September, Governor Newsom proclaimed Head Start Day and beyond as California’s surgeon general launched Good start and beyondan initiative to reduce maternal mortality in California by 50% by December 2026.
TMaH aligns and will be complementary to DHCS Childbirth Care Pathwaya comprehensive policy and model of care roadmap to cover the journey of all pregnant and postpartum Medi-Cal members from conception through 12 months postpartum. The Birthing Care Pathway is being developed to provide a strategic roadmap for state entities, managed care plans, counties, providers, social service entities, philanthropy and other key partners in the providing services to pregnant and postpartum Medi-Cal members.