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Bridging Science and Policy for Transformative Maternity Care

Transforming Maternal Health for Stronger Families and Smarter Investments

The Maternal Health Trust is committed to improving maternity care by combining science, policy, and innovative financing solutions to ensure that every mother and newborn has the opportunity for a healthy start. Across the United States, maternal health outcomes remain inconsistent, and preventable complications drive up healthcare costs while placing unnecessary strain on families and communities. Our work is focused on bridging research and policy, expanding access to care, and improving how maternity care is funded—ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to where they are needed most.

Through our three key initiatives, we empower policymakers, healthcare leaders, and payers to implement data-driven solutions that improve outcomes, lower costs, and create a smarter, more effective maternity care system. By advancing early risk identification, precision investment strategies, and innovative financing models, Maternal Health Trust is reshaping the future of maternal health care—driving better outcomes for families while making healthcare more efficient and sustainable.

Who We Are

Maternal Health Trust (MHT) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing science-based solutions for maternal health policy and payment reform across the United States. We serve as a bridge between researchers, policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to ensure that maternal care policies are informed by the best available evidence and are designed to improve outcomes for all birthing people.

Our Impact

By grounding maternity care reforms in rigorous research, we help states develop policies that:

How We Work

By grounding maternity care reforms in rigorous research, we help states develop policies that:

Independent & Nonpartisan

MHT operates as an independent, nonprofit organization, free from political influence, to provide unbiased, science-driven insights for policymakers.

Responsive to State Needs

We tailor our support to each state’s unique maternal health landscape, ensuring that policy solutions are locally relevant and effective.

Bridging Science, Policy & Finance

Through expert panels, policy briefs, and direct engagement with decision-makers, we ensure that state leaders have the evidence they need to make informed choices.

Maternal Health Trust Initiatives

Expanding Opportunity, Improving Outcomes, and Strengthening Families

Maternal Health Trust is committed to ensuring every mother and newborn has the opportunity to thrive by advancing solutions that improve maternal health, drive better outcomes, and strengthen families.

Our work is focused on three key initiatives designed to promote evidence-based policies that improve outcomes, reduce costs, and ensure that investments are smarter and targeted.

Our Four Key Initiatives

1. Maternal Advantage

Maternal Advantage, a first-of-its-kind policy initiative, supports and incentivizes early risk identification and improved care coordination to prevent maternal and neonatal complications before they occur. By integrating clinical data and non-medical drivers of health (NMDOH) into a dynamic risk stratification tool, we empower care teams, payers, and policymakers to:

Identify high-risk mothers early and intervene proactively
Integrate non-medical drivers of health and lifepath stressors (such as adverse childhood events) into maternity care plans
Restructure payment models to incentivize prevention over intervention
Reduce healthcare costs by preventing high-risk, high-cost complications
Improve maternal and infant life expectancy and long-term health trajectories
Support stronger families by ensuring healthier outcomes for both mother and baby.

2. Maternal Health Opportunity Investment Index (MHOI Index)

A Data-Driven Approach to Strengthening Maternal Health at the Local Level

Some counties face greater challenges in providing maternity care access and resources than others. The Maternal Health Opportunity Investment Index (MHOI Index) helps identify the areas where smart investments in maternal health will have the greatest impact on improving outcomes for mothers and newborns.

Helping Leaders Make Smarter Decisions by:

Opportunity-Focused Investment Strategies – Helps decision-makers determine where maternal health resources and funding will create the most significant impact.
Removing Barriers to Care – Provides data-driven insights to help expand local access to maternity care providers, transportation services, and essential support networks.
Strengthening Families & Communities – Ensures rural and underserved areas have the necessary resources to support healthy pregnancies.

By focusing on expanding access and improving maternal health at the local level, the MHOI Index helps create stronger families and healthier communities across America.

3. Maternal Health Paradigm Shift Financing Strategies

A New Approach to Funding Smarter Maternity Care Investments

The way we pay for maternity care is broken. Too much money is spent on expensive, last-minute interventions rather than proactive, preventive care that helps mothers and babies stay healthy. The Maternal Health Paradigm Shift Financing Strategies Initiative is working to fix this by:

Shifting from a Fee-for-Service Model to an Outcome-Driven Model – Instead of paying for the number of procedures, we invest in quality care that leads to better maternal and neonatal health.
Removing Cost Barriers to Essential Services – Making sure expectant mothers can access prenatal care, postpartum follow-ups, and health screenings without financial roadblocks.
Develop Innovative Public-Private Funding Mechanisms – Blended capital models, Medicaid waivers, and performance-based investments will drive sustainable change for state Medicaid programs, private insurers, and community-based organizations.
Lowering Healthcare Costs for Families & Taxpayers – Reducing preventable complications like preterm births and emergency C-sections means lower costs for individuals, health plans, and government programs.

By ensuring every healthcare dollar is spent wisely, this initiative helps create a sustainable, cost-effective maternity care system that strengthens families and communities for generations to come.

4. Family Economic Independence Initiative

Overview

The Pathways to Family Economic Independence Initiative is a results-driven program designed to help mothers and families achieve long-term financial stability, personal responsibility, and economic mobility. Rooted in self-sufficiency and strong family values, this initiative empowers mothers who are committed to advancing their careers, improving their health, strengthening their parenting skills, and actively engaging in positive parenting.

This initiative is structured to:

  • Reduce dependence on government assistance by supporting work and financial responsibility.
  • Provide incentives for employment, homeownership, and family financial planning.
  • Promote strong family structures and responsible parenting.
  • Ensure taxpayer resources are allocated efficiently to programs that support economic mobility.

By establishing clear benchmarks for economic independence, this initiative moves beyond short-term aid and instead focuses on rewarding families who take active steps toward self-sufficiency and a better future.