The MolinaCares Accord Hosts Panel on The Future of Maternal and Child Health Care in New Mexico
Media Contacts: Caroline Zubieta, Caroline.Zubieta@MolinaHealthcare.com, 562-951-1588, Jamie Dickerman, jdickerman@sunny505.com, 505-720-2195
Albuquerque, N.M. – July 21, 2022 – The MolinaCares Accord (“MolinaCares”), in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of New Mexico (“Molina”), yesterday hosted a virtual panel focused on the future of maternal and child health care in New Mexico, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on women’s health, and solutions that have been identified and implemented to improve the number of healthy births and babies in the state. The event was hosted by Carolyn Ingram, plan president of Molina Healthcare of New Mexico, and featured a discussion from a panel of experts moderated by Megan Kamerick, news director for KUNM.
“New Mexico faces higher maternal mortality rates than the national average. The rates among our minority communities are even greater due to multiple contributing factors including disparities in care access,” said Ingram. “This panel closely examines what we can do as health care providers to better connect families to quality care by improving health equity.”
The panel of experts included Monica Esparza, executive director of the New Mexico Breastfeeding Task Force, Nicolle Gonzales, founder and midwifery director of the Changing Woman Initiative, and Marissa Visscher, program manager for Many Mothers. The panel discussed the challenges and disparities in maternal and child healthcare in New Mexico, as well as the ways in which the pandemic elevated these issues. The panel also focused on best practices for health care providers, policymakers and employers to address these challenges and provide access to quality health care for mothers and children across the state.
“We need to look closely at the perinatal ecosystem,” said Esparza during the panel. “There are a lot of systems that are interconnected that impact the health and wellbeing of our perinatal and post-partum families. We need to start working toward closing those gaps, especially for black, indigenous, and people of color. If we support our most marginalized communities, then we definitely support all communities.”
The full panel discussion can be viewed here.
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About the MolinaCares Accord:
Established by Molina Healthcare, Inc., The MolinaCares Accord oversees a community investment platform created to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations by funding meaningful, measurable, and innovative programs and solutions that improve health, life, and living in local communities. The MolinaCares Accord funds such measures through The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) established in 2020 by Molina Healthcare, Inc.
About Molina Healthcare of New Mexico
Molina Healthcare of New Mexico has been providing government-funded, quality health care since 1998. The Company serves members through Medicare and Health Insurance Marketplace programs throughout New Mexico. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company, served approximately 5.2 million members as of December 31, 2021. For more information about Molina Healthcare of New Mexico, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.