Health Equity blog

A new report examining maternal health care in Louisiana following that state’s near total ban on abortions found that pregnant women are commonly being denied timely procedures–often in the face of life-threatening medical situations–primarily because physicians are acting cautiously to avoid even the appearance of performing an abortion.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released an Issue Brief, detailing the steps it is taking to strengthen the delivery of primary care in the US, including reducing disparities in maternal mortality and morbidity across the nation. As part of this objective, HHS intends to develop additional, data-informed interventions to ensure that it is able to refine its dedication of resources appropriately. However, HHS acknowledges that it cannot achieve all these goals on its own and appeals to other stakeholders, including payors and state/local governments, to actively participate in the efforts to reform primary care delivery.

New research claims that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has overstated its reported figures of maternal death rates during the past 20 years. The primary alleged culprit is the CDC’s introduction in 2003 of a new “pregnancy checkbox” on death certificates, which did not require corroborating cause-of-death information. CDC has stated they disagree with the study’s findings and claim methods used in research are known to undercount the mortality rate. Regardless, this potential discrepancy in reported data does not undermine the fact that a maternal health crisis continues to exist in the United States.

Earlier this month, SAMHSA and the ONC announced the Behavioral Health Information Technology (BHIT) Initiative, which will invest >$20 million to advance health care IT use in behavioral health care settings. Lack of access to health care IT and the higher-level efficiencies and capabilities it offers, such as coordinated care planning and patient/provider access to records, inhibit mental health providers’ from providing access to needed treatment modalities, including telehealth. The initiative will address these challenges by identifying and piloting a set of behavioral health-specific data elements with certain SAMHSA grantees.

In recognition that Medicare and Medicaid populations experience disproportionately higher rates of mental health conditions and substance use disorder, on January 18, CMS announced its new Innovation in Behavioral Health (IBH) Model. It aims to improve quality of care and behavioral and physical health outcomes for these populations by delivering person-centered, integrated care through participating treatment programs, safety net providers, and public or private practices on an outpatient basis.

Also in January, AHA released a guide for boards of health care organizations to identify ways to address health care equity. Among its recommendations are accountability; boards must hold themselves and their executives accountable for prioritizing health care equity and ensuring that it becomes integral to the organization’s culture. Ensuring diversity in the board’s composition and connecting with members of the community and responding to their concerns and needs are also key. Additionally, in an era of spiraling health care costs, AHA recommends that boards champion financial resiliency and long-term investments in their communities besieged with health care inequities.

In late January, HRSA announced a new Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative, which will further HRSA’s maternal health work to address maternal mortality and maternal health disparities. The program will be operated in conjunction with state and local health officials, community organizations, and others. HRSA believes the initiative will maximize its investment and impact in maternal health for communities identified as “high need,” including areas in AZ, AL, GA, IL, KY, MD, MI, MO, MT, NC, OR, and DC.

CMS is currently accepting nominations until March 13 for its 2024 Health Equity Award. The award recognizes organizations that are working to advance health equity, and demonstrating for others how they too can reduce disparities in health care access, quality, and outcomes.