The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), via the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), has initiated a new grant programme aimed at bolstering women's health services.
Referred to as ‘Expanding Access to Women’s Health’, the programme is supported by almost $9m in funding, which is set to enhance coverage and access to essential health benefits for women across 14 states in the US and the District of Columbia.
The grants will facilitate the development of activities and educational campaigns to bridge disparities in reproductive healthcare and maternal health outcomes.
These disparities often stem from the challenges women encounter in accessing information about benefits or coverage such as contraception and family planning services.
Grantees of the new programme encompass the District of Columbia and 14 US states, including Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been instrumental in the US Administration's efforts to protect consumers, enhance transparency, and ensure that health insurance practices are more beneficial to the public.
The new grant programme is a continuation of this mission, supporting state initiatives to plan and implement market reforms and consumer protections.
In Massachusetts, for example, a comprehensive outreach campaign is set to boost women's awareness of preventive health benefits, which is crucial for increasing the use of such services.
Mississippi is engaging with specialists to review the availability of women's health benefits in its essential health benefits plans.
These plans outline the necessary services that most health insurance plans must cover under the ACA, including pregnancy, childbirth, and preventive care.
Additionally, Mississippi intends to carry out market conduct examinations to ensure insurers are providing the required preventive health services and adhering to regulations.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania is preparing to launch a multifaceted campaign to raise awareness and educate on the importance of preventive care, including contraception.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said: “While some try to prevent women from receiving health care, President Biden and Vice President Harris have remained laser-focused on improving access, particularly for reproductive and maternal care.
“This Administration is improving and strengthening women’s health care. We will continue using every tool at our disposal to ensure that women can make the best health decisions for themselves and their families.”
