Emily Welder, Jason Powers, Alka C Walter, David Bedell, Wendy W Shen
Newer immigrants to the United States, whether undocumented, recent legal immigrants, those here on temporary visas, or migrant workers, are far less likely than native-born residents of the United States to have reliable health insurance. This entire group of patients is then at risk for delayed or absent medical care. Our study focused on what effects a free, quality prenatal care program had upon prenatal care and delivery outcomes for an underinsured population, primarily of immigrant women. With a recent change in Iowa's eligibility criteria for Presumptive Medicaid (referred to as Temporary Medicaid), pregnant patients who have less than a 5-year legal permanent residency status, undocumented status, or out-of-country resident status can receive up to two months of covered antepartum care, whereas previously eligible for coverage for the entirety of their pregnancy...
August 20, 2022: Journal of Community Health