Samuel Woldeghiorgis

The meeting focused on the Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) initiative, covering key discussion points such as whole-person care pillars, CMS-required milestones, and upcoming payment model adjustments, including the delay of prospective payments and expected timelines for retrospective shared savings. Additionally, participants examined perinatal substance use disorder (SUD) screening, addressing challenges like stigma, health inequities, and the need for standardized referral workflows. Discussions also highlighted the importance of provider training, resource guides for patients and caregivers, and the necessity of strengthening coordination with community-based organizations to support effective treatment and discharge planning.

The meeting focused on Medicaid policies impacting federal returning citizens, addressing challenges such as obtaining vital records and maintaining medication continuity during reentry. Participants discussed the necessity of cross-sector and cross-agency data sharing, the role of community resource engagement during incarceration, and the importance of improved navigation for case management. Key discussion points included addressing the specific needs of older returning citizens, mental health support, and the goal of having healthcare coverage and essential documentation in place upon release.

The subcommittee meeting focused on the 1115 Waiver renewal application and the status of nutrition services within the District. Discussions centered on federal nutrition initiatives, alignment with CMS priorities, and the development of a concept paper for a targeted nutrition services strategy. Participants reviewed successful implementation examples from other states and identified priority populations, including those with chronic diet-related conditions and maternal health needs. The meeting also addressed potential future integration of in lieu of services and next steps for the HSR subcommittee regarding housing waivers.

The committee discussed the schedule for upcoming meetings and communication plans for the fiscal year. An overview of Medicaid eligibility requirements was provided, covering income, disability status, and procedures for eligibility determination and residency transfers. The committee also reviewed upcoming changes to Medicaid work requirements, including potential impacts on members, exemption criteria, and outreach strategies. Additionally, feedback was gathered on preferred communication channels, effective messaging styles, and trusted community sources for Medicaid information.

The meeting featured discussions on the Safe Babies Safe Moms model, focusing on healthcare delivery research, maternal mental health care coordination, and outcomes such as reducing low birthweight and pre-term birth rates. Additionally, the Lab @ DC presented a maternal health journey mapping project for DC Medicaid patients, highlighting current screening practices, referral system barriers, and the use of patient personas to improve service design and care navigation.