Quality Care for Moms and Babies Act: Improving Maternity Care

On February 28th of 2013, Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced bill S.425 - Quality Care for Moms and Babies Act. By amending title XI of the Social Security Act, this bill will enhance the overall quality of maternity services and health outcomes of mothers and children, as well as improve the value and efficiency of maternity care. While there are many programs, projects, and collaborations nationwide similarly dedicated, the Quality Care for Moms and Babies Act identifies omissions and deficiencies in the existing quality measures in Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and develops data-collecting standardized surveys pertinent to safer evidence-based practices.

This legislation is significant to this population because limited resources are available to women when it comes to choosing where the mother wants to give birth, how she gives birth, and who delivers her baby. The $16 million, federally-funded, Quality Care for Moms and Babies Act “fill[s] gaps in the existing CHIP Child Health Quality Measures and the Medicaid Quality Measures Programs. In addition, the legislation will provide support for conversion of endorsed maternity care measures to eMeasures to facilitate collection through electronic health records” (American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2013). By converting to a mass electronic data collection and measurement system (eMeasures), health care providers, facilities, and practitioners can identify and address where care needs to be improved. As there are currently no forms of mass data collection or online systems of quality measurement for this industry, research and upgraded practices are antiquated and minimal. Consequently, the target patients will receive better, faster, and eventually more affordable care. Facilities will also systematically improve their equipment technologies and management and data entry systems among many other things.

A system of measurement and data collection is not the only aspect of this bill, however. To be developed and executed is a system of surveying and observing providers and the intricacies of their operational systems, called a maternity Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers (CAHPS) and Systems survey. Authorized $15 million for this part of the project, “CAHPS provider, facility and health plan surveys are standardized surveys that allow patients and consumers to evaluate the quality and safety of their health care experience with more detail than a rating system” (American College of Nurse-Midwives, 2013), ultimately enabling practitioners to fulfill maintenance of certification requirements. As a result, providers, facilities, and health plans will finally be held to specific standards on a national level using info gathered via eMeasures.

If passed, common risk factors and health needs will be more efficiently and effectively addressed nationwide. For example, according to a National Governor’s Association case study, “Louisiana has had among the highest rates of infant mortality, preterm birth, and low birth weight in the nation” (Alletto, 2013). And, “[b]ecause Medicaid covers 70 percent of births in Louisiana” (Alletto, 2013), all involved parties will benefit immensely from this federally-funded legislation without investing, expending, or reallocating a significant amount of resources. Though very few oppose this bill, as the benefits are plain and the costs are very low, the effects will manifest very gradually, and it is not an immediate or high priority for Congress.

By measuring and surveying vast areas of this industry that is otherwise unmonitored and unregulated compared to other medical fields, the Department of Health and Human Services can develop new ways to improve our nation’s maternity care health system. By improving health plans, care facilities, and practitioner knowledge, as well as expanding and establishing collaborations, mothers throughout the United States can receive the quality care they deserve.

References

Alletto, M. (2013). Case study: Louisiana birth outcomes initiative. National Governor's Association, State Policy Options. Washington DC: National Governor's Association. Retrieved from http://new.dhh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/subhome/27/n/215

American College of Nurse-Midwives. (2013). The quality care for moms and babies act: Improving maternity care for women and families. Fact Sheet. Washington, DC: The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, & Childbirth Connection and the National Partnership for Women & Families.

American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2013). Quality care for moms and babies act of 2013 legislation summary. District VII Newsletter: Government Relations and Outreach. Washington, DC: American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.