$558M to Improve Maternal Health & Prevent Pregnancy-Related Deaths | CDC & HHS

The Biden-Harris Administration has announced over $558 million in funding aimed at improving maternal health outcomes across the United States, a move responding to persistently high maternal mortality rates. A significant portion – more than $440 million – will bolster voluntary, evidence-based home visiting services for expectant families and those with young children. This investment builds on the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis and reflects a bipartisan expansion of the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program.

Expanding Support Through Home Visits

The core of this funding initiative centers on expanding access to home visiting programs. These programs connect families with nurses, social workers, and other trained professionals who provide support during prenatal periods, postpartum recovery, and early childhood development. Services offered encompass prenatal care engagement, breastfeeding assistance, safe sleep practices for infants, early language development promotion, developmental screenings, and connections to vital community resources like childcare and job opportunities. The funding represents a doubling of support for the program over five years, authorized by recent bipartisan legislation – the first such expansion in nearly a decade.

Every state, and U.S. Territory will see increased funding for their home visiting programs as a result of this initiative. The awards announced represent the first opportunity for states and jurisdictions to receive federal matching funds in addition to their existing base grants, maximizing the impact of the investment.

Addressing Preventable Deaths with Enhanced Surveillance

Alongside the expansion of home visiting services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investing $118.5 million over five years to strengthen the public health infrastructure for identifying and preventing pregnancy-related deaths. This funding will support Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs) in 52 states and U.S. Territories, up from 46 previously.

MMRCs are multidisciplinary groups that review deaths occurring within one year of the end of a pregnancy to determine if they were preventable and to recommend strategies for future prevention. The CDC’s investment falls under the Enhancing Reviews and Surveillance to Eliminate Maternal Mortality (ERASE MM) program, which began in 2019 to standardize and strengthen these review efforts. You can find more information about the ERASE MM program here.

Why Maternal Health Needs Focused Investment

Vice President Harris underscored the urgency of the situation, stating that the U.S. Has a higher maternal mortality rate than any other developed nation. She highlighted the administration’s commitment to extending Medicaid postpartum coverage from two to twelve months and launching the White House Blueprint as key steps in addressing this crisis. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the challenges faced by new parents, including housing and income insecurity, and the proven effectiveness of home visits in improving both child development and maternal health.

The need for this investment is underscored by the complex factors contributing to maternal mortality. These include pre-existing health conditions, disparities in access to care, and systemic inequities. MMRCs play a crucial role in identifying these contributing factors and developing targeted interventions.

How Home Visiting Programs Work – and What the Evidence Shows

Home visiting programs are built on the premise that providing support and resources directly to families in their homes can address a range of challenges and improve outcomes. Families voluntarily participate, partnering with health, social services, and child development professionals. The programs are designed to be flexible and responsive to the unique needs of each community.

Research has demonstrated significant benefits associated with these programs, including improved school readiness and achievement for children, better health outcomes for women, increased health insurance coverage, and a reduction in child injuries, abuse, and neglect. However, it’s important to note that the effectiveness of home visiting programs can vary depending on the specific model used, the quality of implementation, and the characteristics of the families served. A comprehensive list of awardees for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program can be found here.

The Role of Maternal Mortality Review Committees

Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs) are a critical component of the effort to reduce pregnancy-related deaths. These committees bring together experts from various fields – including obstetrics, nursing, public health, and social work – to review individual cases of maternal death. The goal is not to assign blame, but to identify the underlying causes and contributing factors, and to develop recommendations for preventing similar deaths in the future.

The CDC’s ERASE MM program provides funding and technical assistance to support MMRC efforts. This includes standardized data collection, training for committee members, and the development of best practices for conducting reviews. The CDC also publishes data and reports on maternal mortality trends, providing valuable insights for policymakers and healthcare providers. You can learn more about the CDC’s work on maternal mortality here.

Looking Ahead: Continued Implementation and Evaluation

The Biden-Harris Administration’s investment in maternal health is part of a broader effort to implement the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis. This blueprint outlines a comprehensive, whole-of-government strategy for improving maternal care, addressing health disparities, and expanding access to services. Further details on the Blueprint’s progress can be found here.

Moving forward, ongoing evaluation will be essential to assess the impact of these investments and to identify areas for improvement. HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson emphasized the agency’s commitment to removing barriers to care and ensuring that expectant and new mothers and babies have access to the support they need. The Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative, convened at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, is bringing together stakeholders to advance the goals of the Blueprint and to share best practices.