Media Coverage CHIP Medicaid Vulnerable Populations Maternal & Early Childhood Health

Pregnancy-Related Deaths Are Rising In Utah. Experts say extending Medicaid Could Help Those At Risk

May 23, 2019 News Article

KUER 90.1- Utah’s NPR

By: Erik Nuemann

… But one of the best ways Utah and other states can slow this increase is by expanding coverage of Medicaid health insurance for pregnant women, according to new research released Wednesday. That’s a politically controversial issue in Utah, though, where coverage gaps remain following the limited expansion state lawmakers passed in February. Meanwhile, the national problem of maternal mortality has gotten worse, said Adam Searing, who led the research at Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families. “The United States has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the industrialized world. And while other wealthy countries have gotten better, we have gotten worse,” said Searing, also a professor at Georgetown University.

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