MARQUETTE – Nearly a third of Michigan expectant mothers do not receive sufficient access to prenatal care, according to the latest report by the Kids Count Data Center. 

The report cites the problems of pregnant women struggling with systemic barriers like lack of transportation, inability to take time off work, medical costs and not having child care.

It also said inadequate or late prenatal care leads to poor birth outcomes such as low birth-weight, which can hinder long-term growth and development.

The report from Kids Count, a research project of the Michigan League for Public Policy, said lack of prenatal care most negatively impacts predominantly Black, Native American and Hispanic mothers.

The report also said Black newborns are more than twice as likely to be born with low birth-weight as white newborns, which can be attributed to societal factors both within and beyond the health care system. 

Tamika Jackson of Mothering Justice, an advocacy group in Detroit, said troubles with accessing prenatal care stem from long-term lack of investment in mothers.

“There’s a health care system that too often responds to – especially Black women- only after harm has already occurred,” Jackson said. 

“Too often support drops off at the very moment families need it the most,” she said.

She also said maternal health extends to stable housing, mental health support and adequate health care coverage throughout pregnancy and after birth. 

An additional problem that adversely impacts expectant mothers is “maternity care deserts,” areas without access to maternity care resources, including hospitals and birth centers offering obstetric care.

March of Dimes lists 18 of Michigan’s 83 counties as “maternity care deserts.” Those counties include Baraga, Iron, Alger, Luce, Presque Isle, Alcona, Missaukee, Lake, Gladwin, Schoolcraft and Ionia.

Its report said women in some counties travel up to 44 minutes to reach their nearest birthing hospital. 

March of Dimes proposes that state policies supporting telehealth coverage in underserved areas as a potential solution. 

Michigan has policies to help pregnant people access care, according to the March of Dimes report.

They include the Michigan Maternity Outpatient Medical Services, a program designed to provide health coverage for pregnant or recently-pregnant women at or below poverty-level income. 

Additionally, the Healthy Moms Healthy Babies initiative signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2022 provides Medicaid coverage for postpartum care up to 12 months after birth, although it doesn’t extend additional coverage to prenatal costs.