Improving Maternal Health with Medicaid Programs

The Effects of Medicaid Policy Interventions on Severe Maternal Morbidity

NIH-funded research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11127658

This project looks at how new Medicaid programs in Pennsylvania can help reduce serious health problems for mothers during and after pregnancy.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project IDNIH-11127658 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project explores how new Medicaid programs in Pennsylvania might help reduce severe health complications for mothers during and after childbirth. Researchers are focusing on three specific programs: one that offers incentive payments for quality care, another that bundles payments for obstetric services, and a third that covers doula services. They will compare the health outcomes of mothers receiving these new programs to those receiving standard care, both within Pennsylvania over time and against mothers in similar states. The goal is to understand which programs are most effective in improving maternal health.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research is relevant to pregnant individuals and new mothers who are covered by Medicaid, particularly those in Pennsylvania.

Not a fit: Patients not covered by Medicaid or those outside of Pennsylvania may not directly benefit from the specific policy changes studied here.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better Medicaid policies that significantly reduce severe health complications for mothers.

How similar studies have performed: While Medicaid policy interventions are a recognized strategy, this specific combination and comparison of programs in Pennsylvania represents a novel approach to understanding their impact on maternal morbidity.

Where this research is happening

Pittsburgh, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.