Biden plan addresses maternal health, underserved communities

On Jul 16, 2024

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The Biden-Harris Administration unveiled a series of new policy proposals last week that would require hospitals to implement initiatives to improve maternal health and support underserved communities.

The proposal introduces new approaches to maternal care, such as extending postpartum Medicaid coverage and implementing new hospital standards. These significant shifts in health care policy could have far-reaching effects on maternal health outcomes. The proposal comes at a time when threats to abortion care are at the forefront of national debates, with many states enacting restrictive laws that limit access to reproductive health services.

As journalists, we can help the public understand how these changes might impact them or their communities, as well as the potential long-term impacts of these policy changes. Here are some ways we can examine the policy proposals for our audiences:

Story ideas

Explore how these policy changes will impact local hospitals and health care providers.
Interview local health officials and hospital administrators about how the expected changes would be put into practice; and/or interview obstetricians, pediatricians, and other medical professionals about the practical impacts of the new hospital standards and Medicaid coverage extensions.
Compare maternal health outcomes in states with and without 12-month continuous eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP.
Consider highlighting personal stories of new mothers who could benefit from extended postpartum Medicaid coverage or formerly incarcerated individuals who can now access Medicare.

Tucked in the plan are also other policies aimed to reduce health disparities within incarcerated people and indigenous communities, which are briefly highlighted below.

Key proposals outlined

Extending postpartum Medicaid coverage. For children under age 19 on Medicaid or CHIP (health insurance for low-income families), the policy ensures they stay covered for a full year at a time. This means less paperwork hassle and more consistent care for nearly 40 million children. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, as of August 2022, approximately 37.8 million children were enrolled in Medicaid (including Medicaid expansion CHIP), with about half of those children in states with 12-month continuous eligibility and half in states without the policy. This extends coverage beyond the typical 60-day postpartum period, potentially improving access to care for new mothers.

Improving hospital standards, including for maternal care. The proposal outlines changes to how hospitals and surgery centers get paid for outpatient care. This adjustment could influence the range of services these facilities offer and their associated costs. Medicare spending reached $944 billion in 2022, accounting for 21% of total national health expenditures. Medicare covered 65 million people in 2022, with enrollment projected to reach 78 million by 2030 due to the aging population.

Also, starting in 2025, there’s going to be a $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs under Medicare Part D. This is due in part to the Inflation Reduction…