Medicaid/AHCCCS Matters for Maternal and Infant Health

When moms have quality, affordable health insurance, they can get the support and care they need to be healthy and care for their babies. Medicaid — known as AHCCCS in Arizona — is health insurance that covers a range of maternity care services that support healthy pregnancies, new moms, and thriving babies. More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, and Medicaid is a critical part of preventing these deaths. Medicaid covers prenatal and birth services and screenings, which means moms and babies can get diagnoses and treatment for physical and mental health conditions before they escalate.

In Arizona, one in two births are covered by AHCCCS. However, this critical lifeline is at risk as Congress considers billions of dollars in spending cuts to Medicaid. A new brief from Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families (CCF), “How Medicaid Supports Maternal and Infant Health,”  explains how Medicaid helps to improve maternal and infant health outcomes:

• Healthier pregnancies and births for new moms. Many of the physical and mental health conditions that lead to maternal deaths — such as infections, hemorrhages, and depression — occur in the first year after pregnancy, and most are treatable. Medicaid ensures that new and expectant moms are connected to life-saving care and treatment when needed.

• Essential support for newborns. Medicaid ensures that newborns get a healthy start in life by covering necessary medical care, vaccinations, and screenings. The program also funds NICU care for babies born preterm or with low birthweight and specialized care for infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities.

• Positive health, education, and economic outcomes for moms and babies. Studies show that Medicaid coverage for moms and children improves health, leads to better education, and increases financial security.

We highlight this issue as Black Maternal Health Week is recognized from April 11-17 to bring attention and action in improving Black maternal health and alarming disparities here in Arizona and in the United States. Learn more from the State of Black Arizona and the March of Dimes about the need for urgent policy solutions. Everyone can play a role in working to prevent pregnancy-related deaths and improve health outcomes for all new moms and babies.

We need our leaders to protect Arizona families, not advance billions of dollars in Medicaid cuts. Congressional cuts to Medicaid would threaten the health of moms and babies and exacerbate our nation’s maternal health crisis.