As health centers and communities respond to crises in maternal health outcomes, the Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health partnered with the Episcopal Health Foundation to explore how the Texas Medicaid managed care program addresses key aspects of maternity care. Building on a prior study undertaken with support of The Commonwealth Fund, the Geiger Gibson team conducted an extensive review of Texas' standard managed care contracts and contractual requirements related to maternity care.
Following the contract review, a focus group conducted in collaboration with the Texas Association of Community Health Centers (TACHC) discussed challenges and prospects for strengthening maternity care and explored health center knowledge of and interest in new maternity payment approaches.
The team's Final Report on Opportunities for Strengthening Maternal and Infant Health in Texas’ Medicaid Managed Care Environment features the findings of the analyses and highlights opportunities to improve community health center maternity care capacity and access.