Today, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) unveiled a comprehensive expansion of its Special Beginnings initiative. The organization intends to broaden its member benefits and allocate substantial resources to community collaborators, with the goal of enhancing the well-being of a larger population of mothers and infants across Texas.

Special Beginnings is focused on improving maternal and infant health outcomes by increasing access to care, reducing care gaps and educating and engaging residents on a community level.

BCBSTX's decision to extend its Special Beginnings initiative, which offers support to mothers throughout their prenatal and postnatal experiences, follows a state report indicating that 90 percent of pregnancy-related fatalities in Texas could have been averted. Furthermore, an independent study placed Texas at the bottom among all 50 states in terms of accessibility to top-notch prenatal and maternal healthcare. Rates of maternal and infant deaths remain unacceptably high nationwide and access to care for new moms, including behavioral health is a growing concern.

“Maternal and infant health are priorities nationwide, but we see the greatest opportunity to make a significant impact in Texas, where the need is so great,” said Dr. Mark Chassay, BCBSTX’s chief medical officer. “Blue Cross has served Texans for nearly 95 years, and we understand the unique needs and challenges faced across the state’s diverse regions. We’re now building on our long-time Special Beginnings program, adding additional resources and avenues to engage members through pregnancy planning, childbirth and beyond. We’re also increasing our reach into our communities by collaborating with trusted organizations and partners, leveraging their knowledge and expertise on a local level to help support healthier communities.”

Guided by recommendations in the 2022 Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee and Department of State Health Services Joint Biennial Report, the Special Beginnings program will focus on:

· Implementing quality-based maternal health programs that demonstrate a reduction in preterm and low-birth-weight babies, as well as obstetric and postpartum emergencies;

· Expanding access to comprehensive health services, including behavioral health care during the preconception, prenatal and postpartum periods; and

· Increasing public awareness and community engagement to reduce maternal morbidity, mortality and health disparities, with an emphasis on diversifying and expanding the maternal health workforce.

“Changing the trajectory in Texas will require a collective and sustained effort to address the intersection of maternal and infant outcomes with other non-medical drivers of health,” said Dr. Angela Moemeka, chief medical officer of Texas Medicaid at BCBSTX. “A whole-health approach means our collaborations with community and academic partners will seek to address issues such as transportation, prenatal and postpartum care, implicit bias that can lead to inconsistent application of best practices, homelessness, inadequate housing impacting safety, medication adherence and stress. So much of our daily lives affects optimal health outcomes.

The effort is statewide, but special attention will focus on the Dallas-Ft. Worth, Houston, Rio Grande Valley and Austin areas.

Special Beginnings is just one of the ways BCBSTX has demonstrated its commitment to improving maternal and infant health in the states it serves. Other highlights include: · Expanding the reach of Centering Pregnancy’s individual patient care and group support model; and

· Funding distribution of hypertension kits to expectant mothers at-risk for high blood pressure and preeclampsia.

As well, BCBSTX recently awarded 2023-24 Blue ImpactSM grants to organizations with programs focusing on addressing maternal and infant health. Among those partners are:

Family Service

Baylor College of Medicine

Parkland Health Foundation

PediPlace

Santa Maria Hostel

The Blue Impact program advances BCBSTX’s ongoing commitment to the health and well-being of children and families in Texas — with a total of more than $23 million in grants awarded in the last 12+ years, impacting the lives of millions of people in Texas.