Impact of Medicaid expansion on pregnancy outcomes among women with gestational diabetes

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionThe Affordable Care Act (ACA) aims to broaden health care access and significantly impacts obstetric practices. Yet, its effect on maternal and neonatal outcomes among women with gestational diabetes across diverse demographics is underexplored.ObjectiveThis study examines the impact of the implementation of the ACA on maternal and neonatal health in Maryland with ACA implementation and Georgia without ACA implementation.MethodologyWe used data from the Maryland State Inpatient Database and US Vital Statistics System to assess the ACA's influence on maternal and neonatal outcomes in Maryland, with Georgia serving as a nonexpansion control state. Outcomes compared include cesarean section (CS) rates, low Apgar scores, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions, and assisted ventilation 7 h postdelivery. We adjusted for factors including women's age, race, insurance type, preexisting conditions, prior CS, prepregnancy obesity, weight gain during pregnancy, birth weight, labor events, and antenatal practices.ResultsThe study included 52 479 women: 55.8% from Georgia and 44.2% from Maryland. Post‐ACA, CS rates were 45.1% in Maryland versus 48.2% in Georgia (P = 0.000). Maryland demonstrated better outcomes, including lower rates of low Agar scores (odds ratio [OR], 0.74 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.63–0.86]), assisted ventilation (OR, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.71–0.82]), and NICU admissions (OR, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.71–0.82]), but no significant change in CS rates (OR, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.92–1.01]).ConclusionAfter ACA implementation, Maryland showed improved maternal and neonatal outcomes compared with Georgia, a nonexpansion state.