Supporting Black Maternal Health is a Focus for Molina Healthcare of Texas

04/16/2024

Molina partners with March of Dimes to offer maternal implicit bias training

HOUSTON, April 15, 2024 -Molina Healthcare of Texas ("Molina") is committed to ensuring the perinatal health and wellness of expecting Black moms and their infants and reducing inequities throughout the state of Texas. The latest Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee report determined that discrimination contributed to 12% of pregnancy-related deaths in Texas.

"As part of the Maternal Infant Health Equity Program at Molina Healthcare of Texas, we are offering maternal implicit bias training to maternal providers and maternal-facing Molina staff to help mitigate racial disparities in care not only to improve birth equity but to affect the entire birth experience" said Dr. Lindsey Vasquez, director of maternal and women's health for Molina Healthcare of Texas. "The United States has some of the highest mortality rates among developed nations for birthing people, especially those of color and maternal implicit bias training is a critical component of the complex solution needed to reduce preventable maternal morbidity and mortality."

Molina's enhanced training sessions from the March of Dimes are available to providers on-demand, at no cost, and are endorsed by the American Hospital Association. Providers are exposed to compelling content to best understand their own unconscious bias and the impact that implicit bias can have on maternal outcomes in healthcare settings. The training provides actionable tools for practicing cultural humility.

Following the training at Molina Healthcare of Texas, 100% of the participants felt it changed their opinion on implicit bias and met the overarching objective to establish a culture of equity and elevate the quality of maternal care. One participant said, "Everyone has a story and it is important; we must all take the time to listen and understand each other to better help and serve."

"At Molina, we recognize and celebrate Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17), a time dedicated to raising awareness about the alarming disparities in maternal health outcomes for Black birthing people during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum," said Dr. Vasquez.

For more information on Molina Healthcare of Texas, please visit our website; for more information on maternal implicit bias training, please visit March of Dimes.

About Molina Healthcare of Texas
Molina Healthcare of Texas has been providing government-funded health care since 2006. The Company serves members through Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare, Medicare-Medicaid (Duals) and Health Insurance Exchange programs, with service areas across Texas Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, provides managed health care services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs, and through state insurance marketplaces. For more information about Molina Healthcare of Texas, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.

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