When it comes to maternal health, the U.S. stands out as an anomaly: as the global rate of maternal mortality has declined significantly, the rates of pregnancy-related mortality has more than doubled in the U.S. in the past three decades. Maternal health outcomes in the U.S. have long signaled systemic inequities for pregnant and birthing persons of color, with Black and Indigenous people two to three times more likely to die in childbirth than white people. Policymakers can take key actions to enact evidence-based payment policies to address maternal health as a top priority.
The Maternal Health Hub released this report to encourage policymakers to address maternal health disparities by extending postpartum coverage, advocating for pay parity, expanding value-based payment and care delivery, and advancing health equity.
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Supported by The Commonwealth Fund, a national, private foundation based in New York City that supports independent research on health care issues and makes grants to improve health care practice and policy. The views presented here are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Commonwealth Fund, its directors, officers, or staff.