Convening disparate groups to map change

In 2021, the Institute for Medicaid Innovation (IMI) launched the national Medicaid and Midwifery Learning Collaborative, an intensive, three-year initiative, led by IMI and funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Five state-based teams - Arizona, California, Kentucky, Michigan, and Washington - were selected from a competitive application process.?Each team received technical assistance and guidance from IMI and a dedicated national advisory committee to develop sustainable initiatives to advance midwifery-led models of care for those enrolled in Medicaid. Each team consisted of leaders and innovators from four key groups: state Medicaid agencies, Medicaid health plans, community-based organizations, and provider groups, including midwives of all credentials.

Over the next several weeks, we will be highlighting case studies featuring the work of each state-based team. We are pleased to share our first case study, celebrating the work of Team Kentucky.

Kentucky has the nation’s oldest and largest continually operating nurse-midwifery education program, a statewide network of midwives trained in birth center care who also offer the option of home birth, and an environment rich in community-based maternity care tradition. Yet midwifery in Kentucky is underused, especially by pregnant, birthing, and postpartum people with Medicaid health insurance.?

Learn how Team Kentucky set out to change that.

Look for more case studies throughout August.

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