IDAHO, USA — A recent Idaho Kids Covered report shows some pregnant women, new mothers and babies cannot access the care they need to stay healthy.
"It is really hard to get maternal health care in our state," said Ivy Smith, a health care policy specialist who contributed to the report.
The report states that barrier to care is leading to more moms and babies dying, with Idaho's maternal mortality rate going up 121.5% over two years.
Smith said state data shows there were 40.1 pregnancy-related deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021 compared to 18.1 per 100,000 in 2019.
The report furthers the infant mortality rate went up 18% during that time period. State data shows 5.2 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2021 compared to 4.4 per 1,000 live births two years before.
"It really is just so troubling to see how those rates are rising," said Caitlin Gustafson, a family medicine physician who provides obstetrical services.
To keep moms and babies alive, especially in rural areas, Gustafson said state insurance policies need to change.
"Idaho has one of the lowest bars that we could have for enrollment in Medicaid," she said. "Medicaid is what keeps pregnant patients safe in this safe."
Gustafson said she would like to see lawmakers expand postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months to put Idaho in line with most other states.
Inflation and Idaho's shortage of providers only compound the problem, she said.
"Clearly, we can do better," Gustafson said. "But it's all intertwined. This lack of access to financial barriers, the provider shortages. These are all part of this problem that's leading to these devastating statistics."
Sara Swoboda, St. Luke's pediatrician and Idaho American Academy of Pediatrics member, said the report's findings did not come as a surprise.
Swoboda said that some families come to her with concerns about staying healthy and getting the care they need.
"Families are worried about how they are going to get their child health care," she said, "and how they're going to make sure that they are able to provide the things that their kid needs."
In addition to expanding Medicaid coverage for new moms, Swoboda, Smith and Gustafson are pushing lawmakers to reinstate the Maternal Mortality Review Committee during the upcoming legislative session.
Idaho is the only state without a review committee because of a July sunset clause embedded into legislation.
"Most of these deaths are preventable," Smith said. "If we don't act now, these concerning trends are only going to continue."
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