Molina Healthcare of Nevada and Birth Collaborative LV Lead Nevada Team for New Maternal and Perinatal Health Initiative
Media Contact: Rhonda Frazier, Rhonda.Frazier@MolinaHealthCare.com, (562) 980-2849
LAS VEGAS, Dec. 19, 2024 – Molina Healthcare of Nevada (“Molina”) and Birth Collaborative LV were recently selected to participate in the Institute for Medicaid Innovation (“IMI”)’s National Doula Learning and Action Collaborative, a new multi-state, three-year initiative to increase access to community-based doula services for families of color who have Medicaid health coverage. The organizations will co-lead the Nevada team – one of seven state teams chosen through a highly competitive application process.
Molina and Birth Collaborative LV are collaborating with the Nevada Division of Health Care Financing and Policy(“DHCFP”) and other Medicaid stakeholders. Through this initiative, the Nevada team will receive individualized support and resources from IMI and a dedicated national advisory committee to develop sustainable initiatives that will increase access to, and coverage of, doulas for pregnant, birthing, and postpartum individuals enrolled in Medicaid.
In Nevada, Black women are disproportionately affected by birth complications. Black women in Nevada experience a preterm birth rate of 14.5%, the highest in the state, and infant mortality for black babies is 1.6x the state rate. Research shows moms-to-be who use doula services experience better birth outcomes. Doula care has also been shown to reduce racial health disparities by ensuring that people who are most likely to face discrimination in the medical system receive the support and care they need.
“At Molina, improving the birth experience and outcomes for expecting mothers and their newborns is one of our top priorities in Nevada,” said Rob Baughman, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Nevada. “We are grateful to IMI, Birth Collaborative LV and our partners across the state for their support and shared commitment to increasing access to doula services and quality care for mothers and their babies.”
Designed to promote collaboration to improve maternal health outcomes in individual states, the initiative brings togetherkey perspectives from teams including doulas, state Medicaid agencies, health plans, health care providers, community-based organizations, and individuals enrolled in Medicaid. Nevada joins Alabama, California, the District of Columbia, Nebraska, Oregon, and Texas in this effort.
“We are thrilled to have been selected for this new effort to engage with change-makers who are equally dedicated to improving maternal and infant health in Nevada,” said Jollina Walker, community midwife and co-founder of Birth Collaborative Las Vegas. “The partnership between these like-minded organizations will help increase access to doula services to support healthier pregnancies and new beginnings for more families.”
Birth Collaborative LV is one of 29 community-based organizations and providers Molina is supporting with $2.8 million in grants and supports to improve access to health care and social services targeting health disparities among under-resourced communities in Clark and Washoe Counties. Molina previously presented Birth Collaborative LV with $100,000, funding 40 scholarships to train the next generation of community perinatal doulas in Southern Nevada.
About Molina Healthcare of Nevada
Molina Healthcare of Nevada, Inc. provides government-funded health care to members in Clark and Washoe counties through Medicaid, Nevada Check Up, Medicare and Marketplace. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, provides managed health care services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs, and through state insurance marketplaces. For more information, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.
About Birth Collaborative LV
Birth Collaborative LV was formed to cultivate a strong professional birth workforce and community, supported by and supporting the next generation of the birth care workforce. Their work uses the Birth Justice Framework with a Reproductive Justice lens, and is community-based, community centered, and community focused.
About the Institute for Medicaid Innovation
The Institute for Medicaid Innovation (IMI) is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit, nonpartisan research, policy, and community power-building organization focused on providing innovative solutions that address important clinical, research, and policy issues in Medicaid through multi-stakeholder engagement, research, data analysis, education, quality improvement initiatives, and dissemination and implementation activities.
###