Parkland is more than just a well-known North Texas hospital. In addition to serving more than 300,000 patients annually as Dallas County's safety net hospital, Parkland Health Foundation was established as the hospitals philanthropic affiliate. The foundation secures funding and community partnerships to increase access to care.
One in three babies in Dallas County are born at Parkland Health every year, making its women and infant specialty health service line one of the largest —equivalent to a kindergarten class full of kids per day. With such an ability to impact women and children, the foundation emphasizes pre-pregnancy, prenatal and postpartum programming.
Since 2020, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas has supported the foundation as a Blue Impact℠ grantee and community partner. Part of BCBSTX’s expansion of the Special Beginnings® Maternal and Infant Health initiative includes investing in community partners focused on improving health outcomes for Texas moms and babies.
“At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, we’re proud to support the dedicated efforts of organizations like Parkland Health Foundation helping ensure families have access to care, resources and support they need for a healthier start and a stronger future,” says Dr. Yolanda Lawson, Executive Medical Director of Maternal and Infant Health. “Improving the health and well-being of mothers and babies in Texas takes all of us working together.”
While 97% of patients who gave birth at Parkland also received prenatal care there, it was seeing care gaps postpartum, especially among women of color. Until the state legislature extended postpartum coverage, women faced challenges getting follow-up care
The hospital established its extending Maternal Care After Pregnancy program to ensure women receive follow-up postpartum care. Nurses monitor blood pressure and other chronic conditions that can cause maternal deaths and also ensure mom and baby have needed resources.
“We believe every mother and baby deserves a strong, healthy start. From prenatal care to postpartum support, our dedicated teams at Parkland Health provide comprehensive services that address both medical and non-medical drivers of health,” says Michael Horne, Parkland Health Foundation's President and CEO. “Programs like eMCAP ensure new mothers receive the ongoing care they need, improving maternal health outcomes and building stronger, healthier families across Dallas County.”
Studies of the eMCAP program found improved outcomes among the patient population served, largely in South Dallas, leading to its replication in other communities. Meantime, the state of Texas expanded Medicaid benefits for women up to 12 months postpartum. Today, the eMCAP program is expanding to include more zip codes. The majority of eMCAP visits are done via telehealth, reducing more barriers to care. The program also offers in-home visits and operates a mobile unit on Fridays that visits communities.
“At Parkland Health Foundation, we are committed to improving maternal health outcomes in Dallas County. This generous grant supporting the eMCAP program enables us to provide comprehensive postpartum care for underserved mothers, addressing critical health disparities and ensuring healthier futures for both mothers and their children,” Horne says.
The foundation plans more programming to support moms and babies. Its maternal and behavioral health teams are developing a mental health strategy for women before and after birth.