What’s Next for the State’s Maternal Health Strategic Plan?

September 24, 2024

The Shapiro administration this week convened a roundtable discussion in Philadelphia to answer questions from the local community and talk about the state’s maternal health strategic plan.

State officials hosted the event to collect feedback about the plan, which aims to address disparities and help pregnant people in Pennsylvania get the prenatal and postpartum care they need to be healthy.

“Pregnancy, childbirth, and welcoming a new baby are exciting but often stressful times for parents," Dr. Val Arkoosh, Department of Human Services secretary, said in a statement. “Tragically, for too many women—and Black women especially—having a child can be life-threatening when they do not receive high-quality, accessible, and equitable care during and after their pregnancy.”

Here are three key takeaways from the event:

1. A group commitment:  The event convened advocates, providers, state officials and other stakeholders to focus on maternal health, highlighting the need for a collaborative approach to plan development.
2. Key priorities:  The plan will prioritize 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.
3. Feedback:  The administration plans to launch an online survey and host additional community events to gather input from Pennsylvanians. The feedback will help shape the report with a focus on improving maternal health outcomes.

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.

Additional information about the event is available online.