The United States has an escalating maternal mortality rate, which nearly doubled between 2018 and 2021. Notably, non-Hispanic Black Americans are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related conditions than non-Hispanic white Americans.
Approximately 41% of all U.S. births are covered by Medicaid, including 58%–66% of births for individuals who are non-Hispanic Black, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and Hispanic.
To support a range of stakeholders and interested parties informing policymaking at the national, state, and community levels, the maps and data below offer a state-by-state look at both Medicaid and non-Medicaid state-led perinatal health policies and initiatives. Understanding the state policy landscape is a vital step toward advancing evidence-based practices to improve perinatal health care. However, it is important to note that these policies are single elements needed to support a multipronged approach for systemwide transformation.
The maps highlight policies organized in three areas:
