Medicaid's 60-Year Evolution in Maternal Health: From No Coverage to Financing Half of Rural Births

This issue brief chronicles Medicaid's transformation in maternal health coverage, from its origins without explicit pregnancy benefits to current coverage of nearly half of all rural births. The analysis examines key policy milestones including extended postpartum coverage periods, state innovations in contraception access and breastfeeding support, and the integration of culturally competent care models. It also addresses emerging federal policy changes that may affect access for vulnerable maternal populations, providing MCOs and state programs context for navigating maternal health benefit design and delivery.

Maternal · Managed Care

This is outside commentary from Sellers Dorsey, not part of Medicaid Monitor's independently scored news coverage.

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