Meridian Health Plan and Centene Foundation Boost Maternity Care with $1.5 Million Grant to OSF Healthcare

$1.5 Million Mobile Maternity Care Initiative in Central Illinois



In a significant move aimed at enhancing maternal healthcare accessibility, Meridian Health Plan of Illinois and the Centene Foundation recently pledged $1.5 million to OSF HealthCare. This funding will be allocated over the next three years to expand the OSF OnCall Connect program, introducing a new mobile maternity care unit that aims to improve support for women during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

The Need for Enhanced Healthcare Access


Illinois has been grappling with a considerable shortage of maternity healthcare services, with approximately 34.3% of counties classified as maternity healthcare deserts. This indicates that many expecting mothers may have to travel between 47 and 59 miles to reach the nearest birthing hospital. The lack of adequate maternal healthcare infrastructure poses significant risks to the health and safety of mothers and their newborns, especially in rural communities.

In response to this urgent need, the new mobile unit will focus on areas in Peoria and several surrounding counties including Bureau, Henry, Knox, LaSalle, Marshall, Peoria, Putnam, and Woodford. This innovative approach will extend essential pregnancy and postpartum services directly to those who need them most, significantly enhancing health equity for these communities.

Features of the Mobile Maternity Care Unit


The mobile clinic is set to provide various services that are crucial for maternal care, such as:
  • - Sonograms and other prenatal screenings
  • - Lab work for necessary health checks
  • - Vaccinations to enhance maternal and infant health
  • - Blood pressure monitoring and immediate reporting to healthcare providers
  • - Support and education for breastfeeding
  • - Screening for postpartum depression

Moreover, patients will benefit from scheduled appointments that can adapt to their specific needs. The aim is to facilitate a more accessible healthcare option for mothers, particularly those enrolled in Medicaid, thereby addressing the glaring gaps in maternity care options.

Statements from Leaders


Cristal Gary, President and CEO of Meridian Health Plan, emphasized the importance of this initiative by stating, "These mobile units represent a meaningful step toward bringing pregnancy and postpartum care directly to communities that need it most." This sentiment is echoed by Jennifer Junis, President of OSF OnCall, who highlighted that many rural hospitals have shut down their labor and delivery units, exacerbating the issue of maternity care deserts. "Pregnant women on Medicaid in rural areas are statistically more likely to die of a pregnancy-related complication than their suburban counterparts. We focused on areas with the greatest need, and our goal is for the OSF OnCall Connect mobile clinic to extend care to women who need it most, supporting healthier pregnancies and full-term births," she explained.

Launch and Enrollment


The launch of the mobile unit is scheduled for July 2025, with a blessing ceremony held recently on July 15 at Dream Center Peoria. The enrollment process for patients will be seamless, allowing them to self-enroll in the OSF OnCall Connect program or get referrals from their healthcare providers. The OSF Connect team will help connect patients with in-person care teams and facilitate scheduling at the mobile clinic.

Additional Services Offered


Beyond standard maternity care, the program will offer:
  • - 24/7 virtual access to a trained care team via phone or video consultations
  • - Regular check-ins through digital chat platforms, ensuring continuous support
  • - Educational resources tailored to each week of pregnancy, empowering mothers with knowledge about their health and their baby’s development

Conclusion


As Meridian Health Plan and the Centene Foundation embark on this transformative initiative, the goal is clear: to ensure that every mother in Central Illinois has access to the care and support they need for a healthy pregnancy and postpartum experience. This initiative marks a critical step towards bridging the healthcare gap and improving the health outcomes for mothers and their children in underserved communities.

For more information on the mobile maternity care unit and OSF HealthCare's services, visit osfoncall.org/pregnancy and ILmeridian.com.

Topics Health)

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