I feel compelled to raise the alarm about the worsening state of maternal health in our country – particularly here in Florida, where I trained as a physician, raised my family, and built my career. This issue is deeply personal for me, and the urgency has never been clearer.
The statistics are deeply troubling: the United States continues to have the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world, receiving a D+ on the most recent March of Dimes report card for the fourth year in a row. Florida mirrors this pattern, also earning a D+ due to persistently high preterm birth rates (10.7%) and widening gaps in maternal care access.
These outcomes stem from a complex interplay of chronic health conditions, structural inequities, and inconsistent access to high-quality prenatal and postpartum care. Together, these factors contribute to disparities that disproportionately impact women of color.
Recent cases in the media also highlight how Black women’s concerns during labor and postpartum are often dismissed, leading to dangerous delays and preventable complications. When women are unheard at their most vulnerable, they are at risk and trust in the health care system is lost. High-quality care must also be respectful care–care that listens, believes, and responds.
The risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth extend beyond delivery. Complications can occur at any point during labor, delivery, or the postpartum period – sometimes with devastating and long lasting consequences. Research from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association shows Black and Latina women experience serious postpartum complications at a higher rate than white patients.
Maternal mental health is an equally urgent concern. A study in JAMA Internal Medicine shows significant declines in maternal mental well-being, with consequences that span generations – from adverse birth outcomes to long-term developmental and mental health challenges for children.
The crisis is further compounded by maternity care deserts – communities with little or no access to obstetric services. In Florida, these deserts force families to go without essential care, fueling delayed diagnoses, reduced access to emergency services, and preventable complications for both mothers and babies. The farther a woman must travel for maternity care, the greater the risk of poor outcomes. Research shows that in some Florida communities, women travel an average of 49 miles – nearly an hour – to reach their nearest birthing hospital.
Identifying and addressing bias, mapping maternal health deserts and identifying where families need additional support is essential. Data not only informs our understanding – it demands action.
Here are several ways Florida Blue is taking action to support maternal health:
• Through a partnership with Canopie, we are offering members a digital solution that includes prenatal coaching, care coordination, mental well-being support, and postpartum care – expanding access to personalized assistance during the most vulnerable phases of pregnancy.
• This year, our Florida Blue Foundation is awarding $3.5 million in grants to nonprofits supporting maternal health programs statewide that improve outcomes for those with chronic conditions and provide mental health support. This builds on the Foundation’s investment last year, supporting programs such as nurse navigators, mobile clinics, telehealth services, and community-based doulas.
• Additionally, we are supporting the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative (FPQC) in delivering OB emergency training for ER, ICU and other hospital staff in small and rural communities where access to OB/GYN care is limited. This training is critical to improving outcomes in emergencies when every second matters.
• We are also working to increase the number of hospitals in Florida, which carry the designation of Blue Distinction Center for Maternity Care, a recognition which indicates a focus on specific quality indicators.
While I am proud of the work underway, I also recognize that meaningful, sustained progress requires collective action and stronger coordination across primary care, obstetrics, behavioral health, and community-based support services, particularly in under resourced areas.
We must continue to partner with policymakers, health care providers, and community organizations to strengthen maternal health across Florida. We must prioritize policies that support maternal health, including increasing access to pregnancy and postpartum care, addressing maternal mental health, ensuring access to birth advocates (doulas), and supporting the system of maternity care in our state.
The time for coordinated, meaningful action is now. We owe it to the mothers and babies across Florida and the nation to do better. By expanding access to care, addressing maternal mental health, and reducing disparities, we can build a future where every family – regardless of ZIP code or background – has the opportunity for a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery.
Dr. Kelli Tice serves as Vice President of Medical Affairs & Chief Health Improvement Officer at Florida Blue
