Expanded Medicaid coverage could help increase the rate of healthy births in North Carolina, according to a study by NC Child.
In 2016, there were 818 fetal deaths and 873 infant deaths in North Carolina. One in five women of reproductive age in North Carolina are uninsured, and the study's authors argue that the primary causes of infant mortality — such as premature birth and low birthweight — are influenced by gaps in insurance coverage and access to prenatal care.
Currently, the Medicaid for Pregnant Women program is available to all women under 196 percent of the federal poverty line, but the study's authors argue the program doesn't provide all the necessary preconception and early pregnancy coverage. However, expanding Medicaid coverage could provide many women these services and potentially lower the rates of fetal death and infant mortality.
"To improve the preconception health of mothers and to address the persistent problem fetal mortality, North Carolina policymakers should take advantage of available federal funding to expand health coverage to all adults under 133 percent [federal poverty line]," the authors wrote.