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Health — Government — Virginia Government — Glenn Youngkin — maternal health — Community

Youngkin announces initiatives aimed at improving maternal health outcomes

,   and  Citizen Staff Reports
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Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin

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Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced new initiatives Dec. 17 aimed at improving maternal health outcomes in Virginia. The announcement builds on the existing $500 million annually spent on maternal health services statewide.

The initiatives will focus on three key pillars: improving data collection and analysis, expanding access to targeted high-quality care, and increasing awareness of maternal health issues.

One major component of the plan involves legislation to implement "safety bundles" in hospitals and emergency departments. These bundles are standardized protocols for obstetric care, designed to improve recognition and response to urgent maternal warning signs, including cardiac conditions.

Another legislative proposal seeks to streamline the process for out-of-state midwives to obtain licensure in Virginia, potentially increasing access to midwifery care, particularly in underserved areas.

Youngkin also issued Executive Directive 11, directing the Virginia Department of Health to enhance the Maternal and Child Health Data Dashboard. This enhancement will include actionable data on pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related mortality and causes.

Youngkin also directed VDH to create a centralized maternal health website to provide families with easy access to essential resources. Existing Transformation Office funds totaling $1 million will support these data enhancement efforts.

In addition, Youngkin instructed the Department of Medicaid Services to establish a work group composed of Medicaid Managed Care Organizations to enhance prenatal, delivery, and postpartum services.

Budget proposals include funding for perinatal health hubs, additional support for doulas and community health workers, a statewide maternal health education campaign, and increasing reimbursement for high-demand residency slots.

“When we started on our journey, we knew that we needed to approach the problem in a new way, our overall guiding principle was this: We will see every mother and work collectively to provide the care she needs to deliver a healthy, thriving baby,” said Youngkin.

Youngkin also emphasized the importance of collaboration between healthcare providers, community organizations, and state agencies in improving maternal health outcomes.