Welcome to The Pulse, your go-to source for health news in Southwest and Southside Virginia. Each week, we bring you updates on policies, community surveys, and new clinical studies that matter to you.
This year, lawmakers are focusing on maternal health, particularly as services dwindle in rural areas. Many obstetric units have closed, forcing expectant mothers to travel far for care. Recently, Centra Southside Community Hospital shut down its labor and delivery unit, pushing women to drive over an hour to give birth. This contributes to what many see as a growing crisis in maternity care across the state.
Proposed bills aim to expand access to services like midwifery and remote monitoring for high-risk pregnancies. Virginia has more than 500 licensed midwives, yet many do not accept Medicaid due to operational challenges with managed-care organizations. Senator Creigh Deeds and Delegate Rodney Willett have introduced a budget amendment to create a workgroup focused on breaking these barriers for mothers seeking midwifery services.
Midwives play a crucial role in providing care during pregnancy and birth. They attend home births and practice in various settings, from birth centers to hospitals. Despite Medicaid covering midwifery services, the current reimbursement process can make it hard for small practices to survive financially.
Meanwhile, Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy is advocating for a pilot program to monitor pregnant women dealing with high blood pressure and gestational diabetes. The initiative aims to use technology that lets expectant mothers track their health from home. Carroll Foy highlighted alarming trends: between 2015 and 2022, preexisting diabetes among pregnant women surged by 50%. This pilot could ease the strain on both mothers and healthcare services.
On another front, a proposal to expand insurance coverage for doula services was recently halted. Virginia Medicaid now covers doulas, recognizing their role in improving birth outcomes and helping mothers advocate for themselves. But efforts to ensure private insurers follow suit faced resistance, showing the challenges that still exist for maternal care accessibility.
Maternal health continues to be a crucial issue in Virginia, especially as the number of maternity care “deserts” rises. Over 30% of counties lack adequate obstetric services. With the right support and effective policies, we can work toward better health outcomes for mothers and babies alike.
For further details on maternal health initiatives, check resources from the March of Dimes.
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