The heartbreaking statistics on maternal and infant mortality have motivated Medicaid and public health agencies across the country to partner in developing strategies that increase the likelihood of healthy outcomes before, during, and following birth. In this Medicaid Leadership Exchange podcast, staff from New Jersey, Ohio, and Virginia Medicaid, and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials , discuss the many ways that states are working to address the challenges surrounding maternal and infant mortality, specifically the significant disparity experienced by black women. Listen in to hear how universal data dashboards, mandatory perinatal assessments, expansion of coverage to include home visiting and doulas, and shared messaging to the community are showing promising outcomes. The conversation is moderated by Gretchen Hammer, former Colorado Medicaid director and senior strategic advisor, National Association of Medicaid Directors, and includes insights from Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president of leadership and capacity building, Center for Health Care Strategies.
For more information on maternal and infant mortality, consider these resources:
Medicaid Leadership Exchange is a podcast series exploring priority topics for Medicaid leaders developed in partnership with the National Association of Medicaid Directors and the Center for Health Care Strategies through support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Visit Medicaid Leadership Exchange for additional episodes.
Featured in this episode:
 | Mark Larson, former Vermont Medicaid director and senior vice president of leadership and capacity building, Center for Health Care Strategies |  | Gretchen Hammer, MPH, former Colorado Medicaid director and senior strategic advisor, National Association of Medicaid Directors |
 | Mary Applegate, medical director, Ohio Department of Medicaid |  | Jennifer Jacobs, director, Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services, New Jersey Department of Human Services |
 | Alexandra Kearly, director, Medicaid and Value Based Payment, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials |  | Karen Kimsey, director, Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services |
 | Christi Mackie, chief, Community Health and Prevention Programs, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials |  | Cheryl Roberts, JD, deputy of programs and operations, Virginia Medicaid |
Support for this podcast was provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.
