Birth-Centered Outcomes Research Engagement in Medi-Cal

This document is a report on the Birth-Centered Outcomes Research Engagement (B-CORE) project in Medi-Cal, focusing on maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity (SMM) among Medi-Cal members. The project, conducted by the RAND Corporation, utilized deliberative democracy methods to engage stakeholders with lived experiences in California’s Medi-Cal perinatal care system. The report outlines the disproportionate impact of maternal mortality on Medi-Cal members, who account for a significant share of pregnancy-related deaths despite being a large portion of state births. It details the community engagement process, which included eight virtual co-learning sessions aimed at developing actionable recommendations to reduce maternal mortality and SMM. The report also presents specific policy recommendations for regulators and policymakers, such as increasing reimbursement rates for Medi-Cal providers, simplifying coverage transitions, and expanding postpartum coverage. These recommendations aim to enhance the quality and access of perinatal care for the Medi-Cal population.