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Transform Maternity Care

The cost of maternity care represents American employers’ second-highest annual health care expenditure. Yet U.S. maternal infant health outcomes remain among the worst in the developed world. Health care purchasers and patients deserve better.

That’s why PBGH works with employers, providers and health plans to develop a maternity care system that embraces high-value services, reduces outcomes variation and incentivizes safety across the prenatal, perinatal and postpartum care continuum.

Programs and Initiatives


Reduce Cesarean Sections

Read More about Reduce Cesarean Sections

Unnecessary C-sections pose higher risks for mother and child and are more expensive than vaginal births. Here’s how we’re working to reduce overutilization.


Expand Use of Nurse-Midwives

Read More about Expand Use of Nurse-Midwives

Increasing midwifery utilization helps improve maternal care quality, affordability and the patient experience.


Shifting reimbursement incentives for maternal care supports improved quality and reduced costs.


Comprehensive Maternity Care Workgroup

Read More about Comprehensive Maternity Care Workgroup

PBGH’s Comprehensive Maternity Care Workgroup brings together employers and public purchasers to achieve high-quality, affordable and equitable health care for mothers and babies.  

Resources

PBGH Comment on CMS Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule for CY 2025

In its comment to CMS’ on the hospital outpatient prospective payment system proposed rule for calendar year 2025, PBGH addressed the omission of price transparency proposals from this year’s proposed rule and CMS’s newly proposed Health and Safety Standards for Obstetrical Services in Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals.

PBGH Response to IPPS Maternal Health RFI

It is response to the IPPS Maternal Health RFI, PBGH shared recommendations on how CMS can drive better maternal health outcomes, address disparities in care and ensure access for both Medicare and non-Medicare patients.

Comprehensive Maternity Care Common Purchasing Agreement 1.0

The PBGH Comprehensive Maternity Care Common Purchasing Agreement reflects PBGH member priorities for higher quality, more equitable maternity care and identifies needed changes from all parties.

Comprehensive Maternity Care: Defining a Shared Standard

Articulated attributes to define Comprehensive Maternity Care which ensures high-quality, equitable maternal and infant health outcomes including current industry standards, aspirational targets and areas for development.

Comprehensive Maternity Care Measure Set

Implementing Midwifery Care Policies in California-Based Hospitals

Hospital Guide to Integrating the Freestanding Birth Center Model

The Hospital Guide to Integrating the Freestanding Birth Center Model collates critical tools, information and resources to help hospitals and health systems adopt the birth center model.

Maternity Transfer Planning Template

Hospitals and birth centers can use this template to create a plan of action for community birth transfers.

Building Maternity Bundles: Lessons Learned

Lessons learned from a maternity bundled payments project with PBGH member Qualcomm.

How To Successfully Integrate Midwives Into Your Practice

This guide offers the tools and resources required to build a healthy collaborative practice that embraces the midwifery model.

Employer Strategies to Promote High-Value Maternity Care

Certified Nurse Midwife Practice Financial Pro Forma Tool

Case Study: Maternity Payment and Care Redesign Pilot

Certified Nurse-Midwives – Financial Considerations for Developing a Business Plan

Employer Actions to Progress Value-Based Payment in Maternity – Issue Brief

Webinar Recording: How Practices and Hospitals Can Integrate Midwives to Improve Outcomes

Webinar Recording: Promoting Midwifery & High Value Care in Medi-Cal

Transform Maternity Care Program Summary

Employer Action Guide – High-Value Maternity

Purchaser Value Network Maternity Toolkit: Reducing Unnecessary C-sections

National Alliance 2020 Annual Forum – Maternity Care in Crisis – 11.10.20

Past Events and Training

September 18, 2024

PBGH Maternal Health & Birth Equity Summit

This summit will bring together employers, public purchasers, providers, plans, patients, and government agencies to discuss strategies to address maternal morbidity and mortality, eliminate disparities and improve birth outcomes.

September 8–November 13, 2023

Virtual Learning Series: A Birth Center Primer for Hospital Leaders

This free, six-part virtual Learning Series will help hospital leaders develop a strategy to strengthen their relationships with freestanding birth centers within their communities or establish a new birth center.