This op-ed by Laurie Zephyrin, M.D., the vice president of health care delivery system reform at The Commonwealth Fund, suggests ways that pregnant women can be given better care in light of COVID-19.
The suggestions are:
- Pregnant women should be given priority for COVID-19 testing, pregnant women should be able to get care via telemedicine with midwives, doctors, and doulas
- Medicaid should cover telehealth and expand postpartum care from 60 days to a full year
- More birthing centers should be made available
- Ambulatory surgery centers should be repurposed during the COVID-19 pandemic for pregnant women at low risk of complications
- Greater use and reimbursement for midwives and doulas “who can help low-income women navigate the health care system and leverage local resources to connect to social needs like food and housing.”
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