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Perinatal Supports

Alleviating racial disparities by prioritizing perinatal supports

As currently structured and funded in Illinois, the perinatal support system does not address the full scope of supports and needs of pregnant people and families, especially families at higher risk for poor birth outcomes. The frequency with which expecting parents and babies continue to die in our state is unconscionable, with disparities exacerbated by race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Between 2018 and 2021, Illinois ranked 28th in the United States for maternal mortality (17.3 deaths per 100,000 live births), and 22nd for infant mortality (5.62 deaths per 1,000 live births). For expecting parents in particular, these deaths are often both preventable and predictable. In the two years preceding the release of our inaugural PN3 Policy Agenda, the Illinois Department of Public Health determined that more than 90% of pregnancy related deaths could have been avoided, and over half occurred more than two months postpartum. Access to supportive care for expecting and new parents in Illinois remains as critical as ever.

Our Goal

Ensure every parent has the continuum of support needed for positive experiences and outcomes during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.

Objectives

Preserve existing federal funding streams for maternal and child health, including Medicaid, Title V, and the Maternal Health Innovation Program, and mitigate the harm of any cuts.

Fully implement and expand network adequacy for both Medicaid and private insurance coverage for perinatal services, including those offered by doulas, home visitors, lactation support professionals, and community health workers.

Establish a statewide system for coordinating Universal Newborn Support Services (UNSS) with an administrative home and sustained funding to scale in-home newborn visits providing comprehensive assessments, referrals, and connections to health and social services.

Build capacity for both hospitals and freestanding birth centers to offer accessible and comprehensive prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care, as well as universal newborn screenings, particularly in communities with limited maternal and infant care options.

Improve prenatal and postpartum supports that address mental health, perinatal loss, substance use, transportation, material resources, and other needs.

Recruit and retain qualified, culturally responsive, representative, and adequately compensated perinatal health care providers, particularly in communities with limited access to maternal and infant care options.

"Even with the benefits of working in early childhood, I was unable to have adequate supports to give birth in a safe, supportive environment in which my birthing plan was honored. As a woman of color, it is no surprise to me that the maternal morbidity rate is what it is with this lack of adequate support state-wide.

-Raising Illinois Coalition Member

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