Governor Laura Kelly announced that Kansas is one of 15 states chosen by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to join the Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) Model program. This includes a $17 million grant over 10 years to improve maternal and child health care for Medicaid and CHIP members.
The TMaH program will support the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) in enhancing pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. It aims to reduce barriers to care and ensure fair treatment, aligning with the goals of the new KanCare 3.0 contracts.
The program focuses on three key areas: improving access to care, strengthening health care infrastructure, and providing whole-person care.
With this grant, KDHE will:
- Help Hospitals Earn Birthing-Friendly Designations: Collaborate with partners to improve patient safety and quality services at birthing facilities.
- Expand Whole-Person Care: Enhance education and screenings for mental health, substance use, and intimate partner violence during pregnancy.
- Boost Telehealth Services: Provide better access to specialists and offer telemonitoring for conditions like high blood pressure and gestational diabetes.
- Grow Home Visiting Programs: Make home visits more sustainable, improving outcomes for families during pregnancy and early childhood.
This initiative builds on existing KDHE efforts to improve maternal health outcomes statewide.
