Program will address Nevada’s critical need for better access to prenatal care
RENO, NEV. (October 9, 2024) – Community Health Alliance (CHA) and SilverSummit Healthplan are proud to announce a partnership on a new maternal health program focused on enhancing women’s healthcare across northern Nevada. The initiative is focused on improving access to prenatal, postpartum, and newborn pediatric care, particularly for underserved communities. This initiative is vital in our state where the rates of women receiving prenatal care are alarmingly low, putting them at greater risk for adverse health outcomes related to childbirth, particularly among African American and Latino populations.
As part of this effort, SilverSummit Healthplan has granted Community Health Alliance, the largest federally qualified health center in northern Nevada, a $75,000 grant. This grant will support maternal and child health initiatives, aiming to improve healthcare access and outcomes for women and children.
CHA and SilverSummit’s collaboration aim to bridge the gap in prenatal care by leveraging the expertise of midwives. Midwives focus on low-risk pregnancies and natural births, are cost effective and may provide a more relaxed birthing experience. Midwifery care reduces costs through sensible use of technology and tests, and lower cesarean section rates without compromising quality or outcomes. With the option of out-of-hospital care, families can reduce costs by as much as 30-50 percent.
“Improving access to maternal healthcare is critical to ensuring healthier outcomes for women and their children, particularly in underserved communities,” said Community Health Alliance’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Travis Walker, MD, MPH, FAAFP. “The support from SilverSummit Healthplan allows us to expand midwifery care, offering more personalized, cost-effective services that lead to better outcomes for families. Together, we’re committed to making a meaningful difference in maternal and child health for those who would otherwise go without.”
Currently, CHA supports nearly 90 maternal health patients and can serve up to 200. Midwives provide labor support and help educate families and may also refer patients to OB-GYNs if a pregnancy exceeds their scope of care.
“At the heart of our mission is the well-being of mothers and their babies. The disparities we see in prenatal care access and outcomes, particularly among women of color in Washoe County, are unacceptable and represent urgent challenges,” said Nicole King, VP Community Solutions, SilverSummit Healthplan. “By partnering with CHA, we can transform these disparities into success stories, ensuring that every mother receives the quality care she deserves for a healthy pregnancy and a strong baby.”
Nevada’s maternal health statistics are alarmingly low:
– 44th in the rate of infants born with congenital syphilis
– 49th for women 18-64 who reported being in fair or poor health
– 45th in the percentage of women without health insurance
– 50th for women 18-44 who couldn’t see a needed doctor because of the cost
– 46th in the country for the number of OB-GYNs per 100,000 people
For more information about CHA’s maternal health program, visit their website. Interviews can be arranged with Dr. Travis Walker, MD, MPH, FAAFP, Chief Medical Officer of CHA, or Nicole King, Vice President Community Solutions at SilverSummit Healthplan.
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About SilverSummit Healthplan
SilverSummit Healthplan is a managed care plan that provides health insurance to the people of Nevada. Established in 2017, SilverSummit exists to improve the health of its members through focused, compassionate, and coordinated care. SilverSummit is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people living healthier lives. For more information, visit www.silversummithealthplan.com/caringforNV
About Community Health Alliance
Community Health Alliance is a non-profit, federally qualified health center formed in July 2012 and is the largest provider of primary medical and dental services to Medicaid patients in Northern Nevada, serving over 30,000 patients annually. They also provide behavioral health, low-cost pharmacies, even prescription food pantries to all patients. Community Health Alliance operates six primary care locations in Reno and Sparks, as well as mobile medical and dental programs. In addition, they are the largest Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provider in Northern Nevada. For more information, visit www.chanevada.org/.
