CHAPTER 215
An Act to establish the Task Force on Maternal Health Data and Quality Measures; report.
[H 2111]
Approved March 18, 2021
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. § 1. That the State Health Commissioner shall establish the Task Force on Maternal Health Data and Quality Measures (the Task Force) for the purpose of evaluating maternal health data collection processes to guide policies in the Commonwealth to improve maternal care, quality, and outcomes for all birthing people in the Commonwealth. The Task Force shall consist of three members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules and five members of the House of Delegates to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates, the Director of the Department of Medical Assistance Services or his designee, the Director of the Office of Health Equity or his designee, the Director of the Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative or his designee, the Chief Executive Officer of Virginia Health Information or his designee, and such other persons as the State Health Commissioner deems appropriate, including: (i) two individuals who are licensed obstetricians or gynecologists practicing in the Commonwealth; (ii) two individuals who are licensed nurse practitioners or registered nurses who work in the area of maternal health in the Commonwealth; (iii) two experts in postpartum care and depression in the Commonwealth, ensuring regional representation; (iv) at least one individual who is an expert in maternal health data collection processes; (v) four representatives from organizations or groups in the Commonwealth that specialize in serving vulnerable populations and improving equity and outcomes in maternal health; (vi) individuals who are licensed in neonatal and premature infant care and nutrition; (vii) a representative in maternal health from each of the health care payers in the Commonwealth; (viii) health care experts who serve underserved and minority populations in the Commonwealth; (ix) two members of the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association; (x) the Program Manager for the Maternal Mortality Review Team; (xi) two individuals who are certified nurse midwives and one certified midwife and one certified professional midwife; and (xii) any other stakeholders as may be appropriate. The Task Force shall:
1. Monitor progress and evaluate all data from state-level stakeholders, including third-party payers, and all available electronic claims data to examine quality of care with regard to race, ethnicity, and other demographic and clinical outcome data;
2. Monitor progress and evaluate all data from existing state-level sources mandated for maternal care, including new Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measure updates to Prenatal and Postpartum Care and Postpartum Depression;
3. Examine the barriers preventing the collection and reporting of timely maternal health data from all stakeholders, including payers;
4. Examine current maternal health benefit requirements and determine the need for additional benefits to protect the health of birthing people;
5. Evaluate the impact of Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) screening on pregnant women and its impact on outcomes data;
6. Collect and analyze data one year after delivery; and
7. Develop recommendations for standard quality metrics on maternal care.
All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Task Force upon request. The Task Force shall report its findings and conclusions to the Governor and General Assembly by December 1 of each year regarding its activities and shall conclude its work by December 1, 2023.