A New Strategic Plan for Maternal Health

September 10, 2024

The Shapiro administration recently announced the commonwealth’s new initiative to develop a maternal health strategic plan.

The plan, announced during an event last month, seeks to address disparities in care and ensure pregnant women have access to the prenatal and postpartum care they need to live healthy lives, state officials said.

“Pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum periods are exciting but often stressful times for a new parent. Unfortunately, for too many women—and Black women especially—having a child can be potentially life-threatening when they do not receive high-quality, accessible, and equitable care,” Dr. Val Arkoosh, human services secretary, said in a statement.

The announcement comes as HAP’s member Task Force on Maternal and Child Health is also developing recommendations to improve maternal health quality, equity, and access. Last year, HAP’s Board of Directors identified maternal health as a priority focus area for quality improvement and public policy efforts.

This fall, several state agencies will launch an online survey and host community events throughout Pennsylvania to gather input about maternal health. The survey and events will help the departments inform and expand the planned strategies to improve maternal health outcomes across the state, officials said.

“We are working together to ensure that pregnancy and postpartum are as safe and healthy as possible for all women and their families,” Dr. Debra Bogen, health secretary, said in a statement. “We will continue to listen to and learn from Pennsylvanians involved in every facet of maternal health. We are identifying opportunities to act to improve childbirth outcomes so families can thrive.”

The administration’s strategic priorities will include equity and diversity; increasing access to high-quality care; expanding and diversifying the maternal health care workforce; and addressing behavioral health; and substance use disorder services and supports.

Additional information about the announcement is available online.

HAP continues to advocate for initiatives that will grow and sustain maternal health care across Pennsylvania, including ensuring reimbursement for doula care; covering community-based health support; expanding home visiting programs; and increasing access to primary and postpartum care.

Earlier this year, HAP’s grassroots advocacy platform, HealthyMePA, launched a campaign focused on addressing the maternal health crisis, calling for support of policies that expand access to prenatal and postpartum health care.  Learn more about the campaign online.