Equity efforts should eventually lead to sustainable policy change to ensure long-term success. This Maternity Action Plan provides effective policy examples that support reproductive justice efforts and illustrate how long-term change is possible in communities.

Policy goals and recommendations include:

• Build the Workforce Needed for Birth Equity
  • Address structural racism in medical education and training
  • Increase financial support for doulas, midwives, lactation consultants, and others
• Improve Data Collection and Use
  • Share changes in quality measurement data with the public
  • Use timelier data to inform changes to pilot programs and payment models
• Reform Payment and Care Systems
  • Restructure payment models so that providers are incentivized to meet quality targets
  • Test payment systems that reward prevention-focused care and utilize prenatal risk factor assessments
• Improve Social Supports
  • Increase financial assistance for families; lower the cost of living
  • Increase awareness and utilization of social services