By Herald Staff

JASPER — Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center has been recognized by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield with a Blue Distinction Centers+ (BDC+) for Maternity Care designation, as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.

Racial and ethnic disparities are persistent and widespread across maternal health care, primarily driven by socioeconomic status, geographic location and implicit provider bias. Compared to similarly developed countries such as Canada, Germany and Australia, the United State has the highest maternal mortality rate, at approximately 17.4 deaths per 100,000 live births, with the MMR steadily increasing since 2000. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, non-Hispanic Black women are two to three times more likely to die from preventable or treatable pregnancy-related complications compared to white women[2].

To help address these gaps in care and to help ensure the better health of mothers, The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association enhanced its quality evaluation for the Maternity Care program to address key factors driving the United States’ maternal health crisis, such as preventable or treatable pregnancy-related conditions, high utilization of caesarean sections, and racial and ethnic disparities in maternal healthc are.

Overall, cost of care episodes for vaginal and cesarean births at BDC+ facilities are 20% less than those at non-Blue Distinction Centers+ facilities. The rates of episiotomies were 49% less among those at Blue Distinction Centers (BDC and BDC+) than those at non-Blue Distinction Centers (BDC and BDC+). In 2018, BDC/BDC+ facilities across the country cared for more than 40% of Blue Cross and Blue Shield commercially insured women giving birth.

Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center was recognized by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield for meeting the rigorous Blue Distinction Centers+ quality selection criteria for maternity care set by the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program.

For more information about the program and for a complete listing of the designated providers, visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.