CMS takes steps to reduce maternal mortality

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced additional steps to combat maternal mortality and morbidity. As part of the 2025 hospital outpatient prospective payment system and ambulatory surgical center proposed rule, CMS proposes new conditions of participation for hospitals and critical access hospitals focused on obstetrical services and maternal care. CMS would require hospitals and CAHs with obstetrical care units to adopt certain processes for the organization, staffing and delivery of obstetrical care services and to incorporate maternal and obstetrical care into their quality assessment and performance improvement programs. The American Hospital Association says it supports the CMS goals but worries the proposed policies may not accommodate the wide variety of hospitals to which they would apply and could inadvertently exacerbate maternal health challenges. (CMS news release, 7/10/24)