Maternal and Child Health News

Researchers have developed an expanded system for classifying serious maternal complications during hospitalization for childbirth, which can be used to compare severe maternal morbidity rates across hospitals and other patient populations, according to a study reported in the September issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week launched Hear Her, a new campaign to raise awareness of pregnancy-related complications, risks and death.

Leaders of the Black Maternal Health Caucus virtually convened the second annual Stakeholder Summit, where members of Congress and supporting organizations urged passage of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act (H.R. 6142/S. 3424) to end preventable maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, and eliminate disparities in maternal health outcomes.

AHA issued a refresh of its COVID-19 resource on ways hospitals and health systems are caring for mothers and babies during the pandemic.

While the COVID-19 pandemic placed a pause on routine medical visits and non-emergency procedures, people are still giving birth and in need of support from hospitals and health systems.

The AHA responded to a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services request for information by offering solutions for improving maternal and child health in rural communities.

The CDC issued revised guidance for pediatric clinicians on caring for newborns with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 or known COVID-19 exposure, including birth to a mother with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.

The CDC issued a health advisory warning of COVID-19-associated multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.

A new AHA resource shares ways hospitals and health systems are caring for mothers and babies during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released guidance for health care providers who care for breastfeeding women and infants who receive breast milk, based on what is currently known about the virus that causes COVID-19 and the transmission of other viral respiratory pathogens.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently announced a six-month delay in implementation of its Innovation Center Maternal Opioid Misuse (MOM) Model, due to COVID-19.

The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission published a pair of reports. In its March report to Congress, MACPAC, a key congressional advisor on the Medicaid program, updated its annual analyses of disproportionate share hospitals, including national estimates of the number of these facilities, spending by state, and uncompensated care costs by hospital type.

The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee approved 13 health care bills, including legislation that would reauthorize the AHA-supported Healthy Start program and codify Medicaid coverage for non-emergency medical transportation.

Members of the Black Maternal Health Caucus introduced a package of bills supported by the AHA and its American Organization for Nursing Leadership to prevent maternal mortality and racial and ethnic disparities in outcomes. 

AHA Executive Vice President Tom NIckels provides a statement on the black maternal health Momnibus Act.

The AHA invites rural hospitals and health systems to participate in the Better Maternal Outcomes Rapid Improvement Network — a free, six-month program focused on maternal outcomes and respectful care.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Office of Minority Health seeks public input through April 12 on opportunities to improve health care access, quality and outcomes before, during and after pregnancy for women and infants in rural communities.

There is no risk-free setting for giving birth, whether at home, a birth center or a hospital, according to a report released by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Each birth setting has both risks and benefits, the study committee found.