Prenatal Care Capacity Roundtable

On October 27, 2004, the COHMAB held the first Prenatal Care Capacity Roundtable with invested community leaders and providers attending, including City Councilwoman Charleta Tavares. The purpose of launching the Roundtable was to heighten awareness and develop solutions to curb the declining prenatal care capacity in Franklin County. In spite of the success of Pregnancy Care Connection in facilitating easier access to prenatal care for pregnant women, waiting times were not decreasing and prenatal care appointments were diminishing. There was press coverage of the issue in an October 28, 2004 Columbus Dispatch article.

Subcommittees were established to help define the ongoing work that would be needed to further study the prenatal care capacity issues and take action. The work of these committees is described below. To date, six Roundtables have been held with ongoing work being sustained by the subcommittees.

Prenatal Care Capacity Roundtable Subcommittees

At the initial Roundtable in October 2004, participants identified four feasible areas that impact prenatal care capacity which the community could address: (1) public awareness; (2) the state budget; (3) immigrant and refugee health issues; and (4) the family planning waiver.

View Our Report:

• Building Prenantal Care Capacity: A Community Report (PDF)

For more information about the Prenatal Care Capacity Roundtable or the subcommittees, please contact COHMAB, 614.586.1914 or cohmab03@yahoo.com.

Public Awareness Subcommittees

The purpose of the Public Awareness Subcommittee is to increase the overall awareness of the importance of prenatal care and access to care to improve birth outcomes in Franklin County.

State Budget and Partnership Subcommittee

The purpose of the State Budget and Partnership subcommittee is to advocate for increased access to early and adequate prenatal care for Ohio’s pregnant women.

Immigrant and Refugee Health Issues Subcommittee

The purpose of the Immigrant and Refugee Health Issues Subcommittee is to understand and address the specific needs of pregnant immigrant and refugee women living in Franklin County.

Family Planning Waiver Subcommittee

In October 2006, a Family Planning Waiver Concept Paper was submitted to ODJFS. Plans for 2008 include meeting with the Medicaid Director to discuss the plan and how to proceed. State budget constraints will make this expansion a challenge. However, for every 10 cents the State invests, the Federal government will match 90 cents. There is no better match than this. In addition, Family Planning Waivers demonstrate cost savings and contribute to improved birth outcomes resulting in cost savings.