Consumer Watchdog turned its attention to the urgent maternal mortality crisis in California’s Central Valley 5 years ago during the Micra cap campaign. Throughout this vital initiative, we were moved by heartfelt calls from mothers, grandmothers, and fathers seeking guidance and a path to accountability for the tragic losses of mothers and babies due to preventable maternal negligence. Alarmingly, the death toll in this region was far higher than anywhere else in the state, underscoring the critical need for change and advocacy in the face of this injustice.
In response to the alarming maternal mortality rates in the Central Valley, particularly in Bakersfield, we placed a focus on the region to begin to tackle this pressing crisis. In partnership with the County of Kern, we proclaimed May as Latina Maternal Health Awareness Month. Our advocacy efforts extended beyond local boundaries, leading to a successful collaboration with the state legislature to establish this vital awareness month statewide. To honor this important occasion, our dedicated Central Valley advocacy team organized a Latina Maternal Health Fair. We spearheaded an educational campaign focused on empowering families with knowledge about their rights as patients and equipping them with the tools to advocate effectively for their loved ones.
Our commitment to this issue led to a significant breakthrough when our advocacy efforts prompted the Medical Board of California to convene a meeting in Bakersfield, featuring a day-long session on maternal mortality. This pivotal moment captured the attention of the California Pregnancy-Associated Review Committee. We advocated for a comprehensive maternal mortality report for the Central Valley. Following a yearlong effort, the state agreed, instead, to create a California Pregnancy-Associated Review Committee in the Central Valley, dedicated to methodically reviewing cases of maternal mortality with the intention of driving meaningful change in this community.
Through our work with the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative and a new focus on the Central Valley, the state is now homing in on this region most impacted by maternal mortality. In a move to enhance maternal health and promote birth equity, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) introduced the Birthing Care Pathway, a comprehensive initiative aimed at transforming maternity care for Medi-Cal members. This effort is further bolstered by a $17 million federal grant dedicated to improving maternal health outcomes in California’s Central Valley. DHCS will implement this project in five Central Valley counties including Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, and Tulare, igniting hope for healthier futures for mothers and infants alike.
Unveiled at an event at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital this month, the Birthing Care Pathway is designed to support pregnant and postpartum Medi-Cal members from conception through 12 months postpartum. The initiative focuses on creating a patient-centered approach that addresses not only medical needs but also behavioral health and social determinants of health. Key objectives of the pathway include:
Reducing Maternal Mortality and Morbidity: Implementing evidence-based interventions to save lives.
• Addressing Health Disparities: Targeting racial and ethnic inequities in maternal care, particularly among Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander populations. We will work with DHCS and the planning committee to ensure that health disparities in the Latina birthing population is addressed and that they are included in the target audience. This is an issue statewide but is a glaring inequity in the Central Valley.
• Improving Access and Coordination: Enhancing care across the continuum, including clinical, behavioral, and social support services.
• Modernizing Payment Models: Transitioning to a value-based payment system to incentivize quality care.
By revising existing Medi-Cal policies, the pathway aims to provide members with increased choices in maternity providers and support services, such as doulas and community health workers. It also seeks to strengthen connections between healthcare and other state programs to ensure comprehensive support for members.
Consumer Watchdog is committed to shedding light on the pressing issue of maternal and infant mortality in the Central Valley and has been chosen to work on the committee to help plan this effort.
Alongside our dedicated advocacy team, we are elevating awareness and driving action on this vital concern. Regrettably, the trend of preventable deaths among mothers and infants is on the rise, a reality we cannot ignore. We firmly believe that the spotlight should be on this critical issue. It is imperative that we take action to protect these vulnerable lives and ensure a brighter, healthier future for all families in our state.
