Arkansas has secured a $17 million federal grant to improve maternal health outcomes, announced by the state Department of Human Services. The Transforming Maternal Health Model will focus on aiding individuals enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP, with nearly half of Arkansans on Medicaid being children. The goal is to enhance access to care, quality improvement, and whole-person care delivery over the 10-year program.
The strategic committee’s recommendations include technological advancements, such as data tracking and telehealth access, as well as increasing reimbursement rates for doulas and community health workers. The grant will also support patient safety bundles and connect medical professionals with nonprofit organizations that serve pregnant and postpartum Arkansans.
Arkansas has faced challenges in maternal healthcare, with only 34 hospitals in 23 counties having labor and delivery units and the state lacking extended postpartum Medicaid coverage. However, efforts are being made to address these issues, with support from various organizations and officials.
The grant will help DHS revamp Medicaid reimbursement rates, incentivize healthier outcomes for providers, and work towards strengthening the maternal health infrastructure. This funding is seen as a critical step in improving the state’s maternal health outcomes and reducing the high rates of maternal and infant mortality. DHS officials are optimistic that this grant will help Arkansas become a leader in maternal health care.
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