The recent CDC study on pregnancy-related deaths notes that over 80% are preventable.
A recent TxPEP study followed 1,498 women who used public insurance to pay for their delivery in Texas between 2014 and 2016, tracking their health experiences. Using surveys, the study examined participants’ postpartum health insurance status changes, known as “insurance churn.”
The study found 88% of participants were uninsured sometime in the year postpartum, and many participants reported negative health experiences during the year following delivery, such as: acute and ongoing physical conditions (e.g., appendicitis or cancer, respectively); undiagnosed health concerns (e.g., unexplained dizziness); pregnancy-related and other reproductive health problems (e.g., ovarian cysts); mental health difficulties (e.g., panic attacks); and weight or lifestyle concerns (e.g., difficulty maintaining a regular exercise schedule). Lack of consistent insurance made it difficult for participants to address health problems.
To improve postpartum health and reduce maternal mortality and morbidity, states should work to stabilize insurance coverage for people with low incomes. Expanding comprehensive Medicaid and increasing the duration of Medicaid for Pregnant Women to a full year after delivery would create a more inclusive and comprehensive safety net. These policy interventions could improve healthcare outcomes for postpartum people, particularly people living on low
incomes and people of color.