The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services intends to propose adding a “birthing-friendly” hospital designation on its Care Compare website to drive improvements in perinatal health outcomes and maternal health equity, the Department of Health and Human Services announced today. The designation would initially identify hospitals that provide perinatal care, are participating in a maternity care quality improvement collaborative, and have implemented recommended patient safety practices, HHS said.

Beginning with discharges on Oct. 1, 2021, the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program asks hospital to attest to whether they participate in a statewide and/or national maternal safety quality collaborative and have implemented recommended patient safety practices or bundles to improve maternal outcomes. 

Also today, CMS issued guidance on implementing a temporary state option under the American Rescue Plan Act to provide 12 months of postpartum coverage to pregnant individuals enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program beginning April 1, 2022. According to a new HHS report, the number of Medicaid enrollees covered for a full year postpartum would roughly double to 720,000 if every state participated.
 

Related News Articles

Headline
The AHA has released several resources that can be used to educate members of Congress and community stakeholders about the potential effects of harmful cuts…
Perspective
Public
The House Energy & Commerce Committee in just over a week is expected to mark up its portion of the budget reconciliation bill to enact key pieces of…
Headline
A study published April 28 by Health Affairs Scholar found low-income adults living in states with Medicaid expansion experienced an average 9.5% relative…
Headline
The AHA April 30 released a report highlighting how hospitals and health systems continue to experience significant financial headwinds that can challenge…
News
The AHA April 29 urged majority and minority leaders in both the Senate and House to not make disruptive policy changes to Medicaid and other coverage options…
Headline
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists April 17 released guidance recommending a new approach to prenatal care delivery. The guidance calls…