Managed Care · AL
Black Midwife Addresses Maternity Care Access Gaps in Alabama Rural Counties
More than half of U.S. counties lack labor and delivery hospitals, according to new March of Dimes research, creating maternity care deserts that disproportionately affect rural populations. A Black midwife in Alabama is working to fill these access gaps by providing services across underserved counties. The delivery system gaps are particularly acute for Black mothers, who face significantly higher maternal mortality and morbidity rates. For Medicaid managed care plans covering pregnant beneficiaries, this highlights ongoing network adequacy challenges in maternal health, particularly in rural service areas where most deliveries are Medicaid-financed.
Why it mattersMedicaid managed care plans with maternal health risk arrangements face network adequacy compliance challenges and maternal health quality measure exposure in counties without hospital-based obstetric services, requiring alternative delivery models including midwifery networks.