HHS announces measures to improve maternal health outcomes

Health and Human Services (HHS) marked Black Maternal Health Week by announcing actions to expand access to continuous health care coverage and to preventative care in rural areas to improve maternal health outcomes. “With the American Rescue Plan, President Biden gave states tools to combat the racial disparities in pregnancy-related deaths by providing an easier pathway for states to ensure mothers access to the care they need after birth. Continuous health care coverage reduces health care costs and improves outcomes,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. He announced Illinois is the first state to provide continuity of full Medicaid benefit coverage for mothers by offering extended eligibility for a woman during the entire first year after delivery. (HHS news release, 4/12/21)