New care model aims to address maternal health crisis, AOA to host free virtual career fair

Osteopathic medicine continues making strides thanks to the contributions of health care professionals who are dedicated to their work, including those who championed the Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) Model as well as the experts who will participate in the upcoming Multi-Specialty Career Virtual Summit. Read about the TMaH Model below, along with details of the free virtual career fair.

New care model aims to improve maternal health outcomes

On Dec. 15, 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), announced a new care model that will address the nation’s maternal health crisis with a focus on reducing disparities and improving outcomes for pregnant and postpartum individuals and their infants.

Known as the Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) Model, the 10-year payment and care-delivery plan will support participating state Medicaid agencies (SMAs) in the development and implementation of a whole-person approach to pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care for individuals covered by Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). TMaH supports the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis and the CMS Maternity Care Action Plan.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra called the maternal health crisis “unacceptable” and stated, “The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to addressing this urgent issue and using all available means to eliminate disparities in our health care system.”

Becerra said that this data-driven approach will ensure that outcomes are improved for birthing parents and newborns, and that the expanded access to health care best practices and initiatives will help parents and their children thrive.

Although the U.S. spends more per capita for maternity care than any other nation in the world, rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes are higher in the U.S. than in any other high-income country. The TMaH Model will guarantee that pregnant and postpartum individuals with Medicaid or CHIP health insurance receive personalized care. The model will also seek to support or increase access to additional maternal care providers, such as midwives, birth centers and doula services. Each participating SMA will be eligible to receive up to $17 million during the TMaH’s 10-year period.

Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, CMS Administrator, stated that the TMaH model “furthers [the CMS] commitment to improve the experience for all pregnant women across the country, regardless of their background and ethnicity.”

More information on the TMaH Model will be shared in a webinar scheduled for early 2024. Providers can sign up for CMS emails to be alerted of the webinar and additional model announcements. More detailed information is also available on the TMaH Model website. A fact sheet about the TMaH Model and a journey map are also available.

AOA to host free collaborative virtual career fair

The AOA has joined forces with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Endocrine Society, the Infectious Diseases Society of America and Health eCareers to create an engaging, informative virtual career fair that will bring together professional and industry experts in the field.

On Feb. 24, 2024, the Multi-Specialty Career Virtual Summit will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CT. This event will feature live sessions (with career-boosting topics such as culturally inclusive care and contract negotiation tips, just to name a few) and networking opportunities that will allow participants to connect with recruiters from private practices, hospitals and health systems nationwide. Other fun activities include chair yoga, cocktail making classes and raffles.

This event is free and open to residents, fellows and early-career professionals, as well as physicians looking to advance their careers or transition to a different role. Interested participants may sign up now on the Health eCareers website.