LANSING, Mich. (Nov. 18, 2024) — Last week, Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) introduced legislation that would enable more expectant parents to receive prenatal care in a group-based setting, such as the childbirth classes offered through the CenteringPregnancy programs. Building on a slew of other legislation championed by Senate Democrats earlier this year to improve equity and accountability in the maternal healthcare system and expand Michiganders’ reproductive rights, Senate Bills 1127 and 1128 would require private insurers and Medicaid to provide coverage for group-based pregnancy support programs, which are shown to have significant benefits for both the birthing parent and baby.
“Pregnancy is exciting but can come with challenges that people shouldn’t have to go through alone,” said Sen. Chang. “Childbirth classes offer a critical service to moms-to-be and birthing people, allowing them to connect, build relationships, learn together, and find support in others who are experiencing the same things at the same time. This group-based model of care has been shown to lead to incredible health outcomes for both the parent and baby and the reduction of racial disparities in preterm birth. I’m incredibly proud to sponsor this legislation, which would allow more Michigan residents to get the patient-centered healthcare they need in a setting that works best for them.”
Under Senate Bill 1127, private insurers who are already providing coverage for prenatal care visits would be required to expand their coverage to include group prenatal care programs. Similarly, Senate Bill 1128 would codify the current Medicaid practice of providing coverage for this group-based model of care offered in the CenteringPregnancy programs.
The CenteringPregnancy programs combine prenatal care with childbirth classes, bringing together 8-10 people who are due around the same time for 10 prenatal visits and at least one postpartum visit, each lasting from 90 minutes to two hours. During the visits, attendees engage in group discussion on everything from stress management to breastfeeding to infant care, followed by one-on-one time with their provider.
From lowering rates of gestational diabetes to improving detection and treatment of postpartum depression to reducing preterm births, these programs have resulted in a wide range of benefits for the pregnant person and the baby. According to the Centering Healthcare Insitute, the CenteringPregnancy program has been shown to nearly eliminate racial disparities in preterm birth. And better health outcomes also save insurers and the state money in the long run. A reduction in preterm births alone could save the U.S. healthcare system $8 billion a year.
This bill package now heads to the Senate Committee on Health Policy for consideration.