Michigan League for Public Policy photo
A recent report card released by the March of Dimes on the current state of maternal and infant health in Michigan underscores the critical need for policy solutions that will improve outcomes for our state’s moms and babies, namely supportive midwifery policies and a statewide paid family and medical leave program.
Michigan received a grade of C- for its 2023 preterm birth rate of 10.3%, which is only marginally better than the national rate and lands our state at 26th in the rankings of all 50 states, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico. Preterm birth is a birth occurring before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Preterm birth and low birthweight are the leading causes of infant death in Michigan and can otherwise result in a higher risk of health challenges for babies, not to mention significant emotional and financial stressors for families.
While the state data is alarming, what is even more concerning is that Genesee and Wayne counties and the city of Detroit received failing grades for preterm births, with rates ranging from 12% to 15.6%. And, statewide, preterm births were shown to be significantly higher among Pacific Islander and Black mothers when compared to mothers of other races and ethnicities.
Furthermore, Michigan ranks 34th nationally in terms of infant mortality, with a rate of 6.4 per 1,000 live births, which is higher than the national rate. And the infant mortality rate for Black mothers is shown to be more than two times higher than that of the state rate and almost three times higher than the rate for white mothers in Michigan.
Additionally, the maternal mortality rate in Michigan is 19.1 per 100,000 births and, according to our state’s own surveillance program, almost two-thirds of the pregnancy-related maternal deaths that occur in Michigan each year are preventable. Mortality rates among American Indian/Alaska Native and Black mothers are also nearly two times higher than the mortality rates for white mothers.
This data and, more specifically, the stark racial disparities in the data point to the dire need for Michigan to better address systemic racism and barriers to access within its maternal and perinatal healthcare systems.
While Michigan’s data is somber at best, positive change is within reach.
Last week, the Michigan Senate passed much of the Michigan Momnibus bill package that was introduced earlier this year, and it has now moved to the Michigan House for consideration. This package of legislation, along with House Bill 5636, would go a long way in making meaningful improvements to the way we care for moms and babies in our state, especially moms and babies of color.
The package and associated birthing center bill include several long-overdue solutions that aim to reduce racial disparities, while also helping to bolster support for and encourage recruitment of Michigan midwives at a time when demand is growing for their cost-effective and culturally-responsive services. The licensing of birth centers, for one, would ensure midwives receive Medicaid reimbursements for the care they provide in these facilities. It would also promote the expansion of these facilities to the many areas in Michigan where maternal and perinatal healthcare is harder to come by, otherwise known as maternity care deserts. Michigan is one of only nine states that does not license birth centers.
In addition to the Momnibus, the Michigan Family Leave Optimal Coverage (MI-FLOC) legislation introduced last year in the Michigan Legislature would also help boost the health of infants and caregivers. Paid parental leave during infancy has been shown to reduce infant mortality and has a lasting effect on a child’s health as a result of lower prenatal stress, higher rates of breastfeeding, fewer hospitalizations and increased parental involvement. Mothers who receive paid leave are also less likely to experience postpartum depression symptoms or report parenting stress.
New polling data shows that 81% of Michigan voters support implementing paid family leave and the Michigan League for Public Policy is proud to be one of more than 120 organizations and businesses that would like to see Michigan join the 13 states that already have paid leave programs.
Notably, the March of Dimes recognizes adoption of supportive midwifery policies and paid leave programs as critical measures that states can take in improving maternal and infant health, but these are the two key areas in Michigan’s report card where we are glaringly falling short.
We do see some hope on the horizon, however, in the form of the Momnibus and MI-FLOC legislation that the Legislature is currently considering. These bills could potentially be passed by the end of 2024, resulting in precious lives saved and meaningful improvements in the care that is provided to moms and babies across our state.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.