Connecticut expands maternal health coverage and adds undocumented mothers [Hartford Courant] – InsuranceNewsNet

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Govt. Ned Lamont announced improvements to Connecticut’s maternal health coverage and services at a news conference in UConn Health tuesday.

The multitude of new initiatives include expanding prenatal coverage under the state’s public health program to all eligible women regardless of immigration status, expanding postpartum coverage of six weeks to a full year and establishing a new payment package that will incorporate doulas and breastfeeding support for up to one year.

The state is also piloting a universal home visiting and community health worker program from the city of Bridgeport. The program will allow families one to three home visits from a registered nurse who will provide maternal and child health education and support.

Lamont was joined by Department of Social Services Commissioner Deidre Gifford, Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthaniand medical providers.

“In Connecticut, there are an average of five to six pregnancy-related deaths per year, and about half of those deaths occur within the first six weeks to a year after pregnancy,” said Department of Social Services Commissioner Deidre Gifford. “So it’s very important that women have access to long-term care and not just prenatal care or the immediate postpartum period, but for the whole year after pregnancy.”

The series of new measures aim to address racial disparities and improve health outcomes in the state at a time when maternal deaths are rising nationwide.

“We had already seen remarkable progress in maternal health to the point where a few decades ago maternal deaths were extremely rare in the United States,” Gifford said. “We have unfortunately seen that this trend has reversed and the number of maternal deaths has increased every year since 2018. Additionally, maternal deaths among non-Hispanic black women are three times higher in this country than among women. white. These are issues that need to be addressed urgently. »

The new measures have come into force First of April this year as part of the General Assembly’s biennial state budget. The money to fund the government’s five-year expansion program is included in the US federal bailout law. The federal government estimates that about 4,000 women in Connecticut each year will be eligible for extended coverage.

Connecticut sees an average of 35,000 births per year and about 40% of those are covered by the state’s HUSKY public health coverage program. In addition, 34% of these births are delivered by caesarean section, which represents one of the highest rates in New England.

“By having a doula present before, during and after pregnancy, we know it can help reduce cesarean section rates, encourage breastfeeding and help give the birthing parent any kind of support they need to get the birth he wishes”, Cynthia Hayes, a practicing doula, said at Tuesday’s press conference. “We are encouraged by the state’s cutting-edge approach to expanding access to doula services as part of its maternity initiatives.”

Along with the expansion of services, prenatal coverage for undocumented women under the state’s Children’s Health Insurance program has also been expanded. Previously, undocumented women were not eligible due to their immigration status.

Other changes are also planned for next year, including medical coverage for undocumented immigrant children up to the age of 8 will come into effect. January 1, 2023 and postpartum care for undocumented immigrant women will follow in April 2023.

“We can’t leave these moms and babies behind,” Lamont said. “We place particular emphasis on communities hardest hit by disparities. Basic health care is an individual right and no one should be asked about your immigration documents.

©2022 Hartford Courant. Visit current.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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