86. Reps. Crawley and Manning on Extending Health Care Coverage for New Mothers

On a new, two-part episode of Prognosis Ohio, part of the WCBE Podcast Experience, host Dan Skinner talks with two legislators who are advocating for important funding priorities in biennial budget negotiations to support new mothers and children. Rep. Erica Crawley (D-Columbus, 26th House District) and Rep. Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville, 55th House District) talk about their advocacy for expanding Medicaid postpartum health care services for new mothers from the current 60 days to the federal maximum, as well as a range of other ways Ohio can improve health outcomes. In Part II, Dan talks with Kelly Vyzral of Children's Defense Fund of Ohio, who offers expert commentary on Dan's conversation with the legislators.

Topics include the importance of the Medicaid postpartum coverage, proposals to increase access to doula care, bipartisanship in addressing policy challenges in maternal and infant health, and the efficiencies of health policy that emphasizes prevention.

Some Show Notes:

- Read the Health Policy Institute of Ohio's 2021 Health Value Dashboard.

- Read the Kaiser Family Foundation’s state-by-state analysis of national developments in the expansion of postpartum coverage for new mothers.

- Read The Dispatch’s editorial on racism and health disparities.

- Kelly Vyzral mentions a study published in the American Journal of Public Health that provides evidence regarding doula care, birth outcomes, and Medicaid costs. You can read about the study here.

You can subscribe to Prognosis Ohio at PrognosisOhio.com.

Hosted by Dan Skinner 

Produced by Dan Skinner with production and editorial support by Claire McGee

Prognosis Ohio is part of the Health Podcast Network.