Improving State Medicaid programs for pregnant women and children

Beginning in 1986, States have made the reduction of infant mortality a major policy priority. As progress on important maternal and infant health indicators has slowed and/or worsened. States have taken advantage of numerous Federal Medicaid options to implement innovative strategies to enhance low-income women's access to prenatal care and to improve the content of that care. Acting initially to expand Medicaid eligibility up to and above the Federal poverty level, States have moved to further improve programs by streamlining eligibility systems, enhancing outreach initiatives, attempting to recruit obstetrical providers into participating in Medicaid, and adding enriched nonmedical prenatal benefits to their State plans. Although policymakers must await formal evaluation results, State reforms appear encouraging.