Access to Healthcare Committee

Care should never be out of reach. We’re working to ensure that every woman, no matter her zip code or background, can access the care she needs and deserves.

about us

What we do as the Access to Healthcare Committee

Access to care is the cornerstone of maternal health equity. The Access to Healthcare Committee is committed to breaking down barriers—geographic, financial, cultural, and systemic—that prevent women from receiving timely, quality care throughout pregnancy and beyond.

We work to expand provider availability, improve transportation and telehealth options, and ensure every woman in Kentucky can navigate her healthcare journey with confidence and support.

The Impact of Healthcare Access Gaps

Access to healthcare is one of the most critical—and uneven—factors influencing maternal health outcomes in Kentucky. Many pregnant and postpartum individuals face significant barriers to receiving timely, appropriate care, especially in rural and economically distressed areas.

Over 17% of women of childbearing age in Kentucky live in counties with no registered doctors, nurses, midwives, or maternity care facilities 1

More than 50% of pregnancy-related deaths occur between one week and one year postpartum—often when access to follow-up care is limited or unavailable 2

Up to 40% of birthing people do not attend a routine postpartum visit, and many never receive the full range of recommended care 2

Black birthing people in Kentucky are three times more likely to die during or after childbirth compared to their white counterparts, despite the presence of advanced maternal care in urban areas 3

These gaps are not just inconvenient—they are deadly. Lack of access to prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care contributes directly to preventable complications like hypertension, hemorrhage, and mental health crises. In Kentucky, 88% of maternal deaths have been deemed preventable 2 underscoring the urgent need to close these access gaps.

Perinatal Community Health Work Program

The Perinatal Community Health Work Program is a community-driven initiative that places trained perinatal community health workers at the heart of maternal and infant health support. These workers are trusted members of the communities they serve and are uniquely positioned to provide culturally responsive, person-centered care during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.

What Perinatal Community Health Workers Do:

Navigate Care Systems: Perinatal community health workers help individuals and families understand and access healthcare services, including prenatal and postpartum care, mental health support, and pediatric services.
Provide Education: They offer evidence-based information on topics such as nutrition, breastfeeding, safe sleep, birth planning, and postpartum recovery.
Offer Emotional Support: Perinatal community health workers build trusting relationships, offering consistent, compassionate support that reduces isolation and stress during the perinatal journey.
Advocate for Equity: By addressing social determinants of health—such as housing, transportation, and food security—perinatal community health workers help reduce disparities and improve outcomes for underserved populations.

Why It Matters:

This program is a key strategy in improving access to healthcare for birthing people who face systemic barriers, including racial and economic inequities. By meeting families where they are—both geographically and emotionally—PCHWs help ensure that no one falls through the cracks during one of life’s most critical transitions.

For more information or to become a certified CHW, visit the KOCHW website

Expanding Access to Maternal Healthcare in Kentucky

Access to quality maternal healthcare remains a critical challenge across Kentucky, especially in rural and underserved communities. The Access to Healthcare Committee is working to close these gaps through innovative, community-based strategies that address both systemic barriers and social determinants of health.

Doula Access and Equity

Despite strong evidence that doula care improves birth outcomes, only 6% of U.S. births are supported by a doula. In Kentucky, access is limited by cost, geography, and lack of Medicaid reimbursement. The committee is advocating for policy change and building a statewide registry of culturally and linguistically matched doulas to support families before, during, and after birth.

Community Health Workers in Libraries

Local libraries and extension offices are being activated as access points for perinatal support. Community Health Workers (CHWs) stationed in these spaces help families with Medicaid redetermination, social needs screenings, blood pressure checks, and connections to vital postpartum resources.

Telehealth Expansion

Telehealth is a powerful tool for reaching patients in maternal health deserts. The committee is working to expand telehealth infrastructure, connect rural providers to maternal-fetal medicine specialists, and ensure continuity of care for high-risk pregnancies. This includes addressing connectivity issues and workforce shortages that limit access in many areas.

Maternal Health Ecosystem Collaboration

Through the development of a statewide Maternal Health Ecosystem, the committee is fostering collaboration among hospitals, providers, and community organizations. This network promotes shared resources, coordinated care, and a unified approach to improving maternal health outcomes.