LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Senate on Tuesday passed bipartisan legislation that would enable more expectant parents to receive prenatal care in a group-based setting, such as the childbirth classes offered through CenteringPregnancy programs.
Sponsored by Sens. Stephanie Chang and Ruth Johnson, Senate Bills 414 and 415 would require private insurers and Medicaid to provide coverage for group-based pregnancy support programs, which have shown significant benefits for both mothers and babies.
“The evidence shows that this works,” said Johnson, R-Holly. “CenteringPregnancy visits have been shown in studies to reduce preterm births by 33% to 47% and reduce neonatal intensive care admissions by 37%. Those are remarkable outcomes. These bills will ensure that Michigan mothers and babies have access to this very beneficial program.”
Under SB 414, private insurers already providing coverage for prenatal care visits would be required to expand their coverage to include group prenatal care programs. Similarly, SB 415 would codify the current Medicaid practice of providing coverage for this group-based model of care offered in CenteringPregnancy programs.
“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 these bills,” 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 detection and treatment of postpartum depression to 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. health care system $8 billion a year.
This legislation now heads to the House for consideration.
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