Michigan's maternal health landscape is poised for a critical transformation, and the Detroit Medical Center (DMC) is at the forefront of this change. The DMC has become the first hospital in Michigan to apply for a rigorous maternal care verification process through the Joint Commission, as reported by The Detroit News. This step is part of a larger state-led effort to address stark disparities in maternal mortality, particularly those impacting women of color.
Amid statistics that have shown Black women in Michigan were more than twice as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes between 2016 and 2020, the Maternal Levels of Care (MLoC) verification aims to set hospitals to the highest standards in maternity care. Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director, advocated for collaboration and strategic partnerships as fundamental to progressing maternal health outcomes, according to a statement obtained by Health & Human Services. The MLoC verification is a comprehensive program evaluating hospitals' readiness, capability, and efficacy of managing complex maternal conditions.
State initiatives are clear about their objective to tackle these disparities, and financial incentives have been introduced to motivate hospitals. In a significant policy move, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services detailed that starting from September, it will release payments to hospitals participating in this quality improvement effort. The budget for this program is backed by $9 million in state general fund dollars, an investment that underscores the urgent call to action for enhancing maternal care services.
Brittany Lavis, CEO of DMC, conveyed the medical center's dedication to this cause. "Being the first health system in Michigan to seek Maternal Levels of Care Verification is a testament to our commitment to improving maternal and infant health in our city," Lavis told The Detroit News. Birthing hospitals looking to learn more about MLC verification can utilize the resources available through the Michigan Health and Hospital Association’s Maternal Levels of Care Toolkit website.
