LANSING, Mich. — Legislation to enable more pregnant women to receive prenatal care in a group-based setting is on its way to the governor to be signed.
Senate Bill 415, sponsored by Sen. Ruth Johnson, would require Medicaid to provide coverage for group-based pregnancy support programs such as the childbirth classes offered through CenteringPregnancy programs, which have shown significant benefits for both mothers and babies.
“Prenatal care works for both pregnant moms and their babies,” said Johnson, R-Holly. “I look forward to seeing the governor sign this bill into law to ensure Michigan mothers have access to beneficial programs like CenteringPregnancy, which have a track record of reducing preterm births by 33% to 47% and reducing neonatal intensive care admissions by 37%. Those are remarkable outcomes.”
Johnson thanked Sen. Michael Webber for his work in ushering the bill through the Legislature as vice chair of the Senate Health Policy Committee.
“As a father, I know the joys and challenges of becoming a parent,” said Webber, R-Rochester Hills. “I also know that access to prenatal care can make a world of difference in the long-term health of both the mother and child, especially for first-time moms. This proactive reform will reduce healthcare costs and improve outcomes by ensuring more parents can get the supportive care they need.”
Johnson also worked with Sen. Stephanie Chang on the measure.
“Expectant parents shouldn’t have to go through pregnancy alone; they need support — information, resources, a space to ask questions and camaraderie from others going through the same experience. And that’s what’s at the heart of this bill,” said Chang, D-Detroit. “By expanding access to CenteringPregnancy programs and other group-based prenatal care, this legislation would not only boost vital health outcomes for moms-to-be — it would also ensure that they do not have to go through the challenges of bringing a life into this world alone.”
CenteringPregnancy programs combine prenatal care with childbirth classes, bringing together eight to 10 people who are due around the same time for 10 prenatal visits and at least one postpartum visit, each lasting from 90 minutes to two hours. During the visits, attendees engage in group discussions on everything from stress management to breastfeeding to infant care, followed by one-on-one time with their provider.
From lowering rates of gestational diabetes to improving the detection and treatment of postpartum depression and reducing preterm births, these programs are linked to a wide range of benefits for pregnant women and babies. According to the Centering Healthcare Institute, CenteringPregnancy programs have been shown to nearly eliminate racial disparities in preterm birth, and better health outcomes also save insurers and the state money in the long run. A reduction in preterm births alone could save the U.S. healthcare system $8 billion a year.
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