Bills would cover group prenatal care through insurance, Medicaid

State Rep. Jennifer Wortz this week announced a bipartisan plan to support group prenatal care, an innovative service that allows pregnant moms to bond and support each other while receiving quality health care.

House Bills 4703 and 4704 would require Michigan’s Medicaid program and private health insurers to cover group prenatal care. In group prenatal care, pregnant women or expecting couples can participate in prenatal care sessions together. The group care option provides essential health care, while enabling moms and dads to get to know each other and build a support network that can continue after their babies are born. Because sessions typically last over an hour, pregnant moms have more time to engage with their health care providers than they would at individual appointments.

“The journey of pregnancy and parenthood is one of life’s greatest joys, but it is also challenging,” said Wortz, R-Quincy. “That’s why many pregnant women, especially first-time moms, are participating in group prenatal care. They get the health care they and their babies need, more time with their practitioners, and strong connections with other moms. It’s an innovative and effective way to go through pregnancy and prepare for birth.  Moms and dads can form friendships that can support each other through the child-rearing years.  By providing insurance coverage for group prenatal care, this bipartisan plan will help reduce costs and give babies, moms, and dads the collaborative, supportive care they need.”

Studies have shown that group prenatal care can improve health outcomes for pregnant women and their babies. The group appointments can also be more cost-effective for insurers than individual appointments. Additional information about group prenatal care can be found here.

In addition to Wortz’s legislation, a Republican and a Democrat in the Senate introduced a matching pair of bills earlier this month.

A previous plan to provide medical coverage for group prenatal care passed the Senate late last year with overwhelming bipartisan support but did not have time to make it through the House and to the governor’s desk.

HBs 4703 and 4704 were referred to the Committee on Insurance.