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Publicly insured obstetrics patients are more likely than privately insured obstetrics patients to report being pressured to consent to c- sections and other medical interventions that they do not want.
(Listening to Mothers Survey 2018).
Publicly insured obstetrics patients are more likely than privately insured obstetrics patients to report being pressured to consent to c- sections and other medical interventions that they do not want.
(Listening to Mothers Survey 2018).
HBC is a grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to the liberation of reproductive justice and fundamental change in health inequity related to pregnancy, childbirth, and the first year postpartum. Read up on our past and current initiatives that challenge the system!
The RLJA improves and builds upon prior legislation to comprehensively address gaps and harmful systems that negatively affect the health of people who become pregnant in Illinois. It works to decriminalize Substance Use disorder and encourage recovery, affirms the rights of parents who endure stillbirth, and makes maternity care rights more accessible.
Learn more & get involved HERE
2 out of every 3 births (67%) to a Black person in Illinois report Medicaid as the source of payment for delivery. Meanwhile, 64% of births to white people are paid by private insurance.
Program Objectives:
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is drafting a state plan amendment making health services furnished by licensed Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) available and accessible to Medicaid-insured families in Illinois.
The average wait time between states’ licensure of CPMs and establishing Medicaid reimbursement has previously been about a decade on average.
– Illinois became the 37th State to licensure Certified Professional Midwives
– HB 3401 was passed under Star August, co-founder of HBC, during her Presidency of the Illinois Council of Certified Professional Midwives.
– Creates a path toward certification for midwives; licensed professional midwives will be able to attend out-of-hospital births. The proposal passed the Illinois legislature after the state’s main doctor’s organization, the Illinois State Medical Society, lifted its opposition, citing provisions that protect doctors and medical facilities from liability.
Holistic Birth Collective authored, filled and Lobbied for HB 5012, which provides that a “licensed certified professional midwife” means a person who has successfully met the requirements in the provisions concerning licensure and has been licensed by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Dowload the original bill synopsis to read HERE.
Holistic Birth Collective co authored, filled and lobbied for HB 5013 which expands the family planning service exemption from MCO network restrictions (this how Illinois complies with a complicated federal statute for Medicaid programs) to also apply to non emergency prenatal and perinatal healthcare services.
1) Homebirth practices will no longer need to maintain a contract with each Medicaid health plan individually starting January 1, 2023. As long as you’re enrolled in IMPACT and in good standing with HFS, you expect reimbursement for covered services regardless of network status. The rare homebirth CNMs still accepting Medicaid patients will probably be the providers most interested in this change.
2) Upon implementation of CPM licensure, CPMs will be able to work as primary attendants at licensed birth centers. Medicaid coverage for birth center services furnished by CPMs will automatically kick in due to a mandate in federal Medicaid law. Services furnished by midwives outside of “birth center services” remain a separate matter.
Download the original bill synopsis to read HERE.
Donated funds are used to sustain the Holistic Birth Collective’s data activism and administrative advocacy relating to perinatal healthcare and health justice in Illinois.
Keep up to date on what we’re doing and where we’re going. All with no junk mail involved – we promise!
Get the latest updates via email with our upcoming newsletter on how to stay involved with local events and advocacy initiatives! Don’t worry, there’s no spam involved.