Family Connects New Orleans seeks state support after reducing Medicaid spending

6 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Apr 29

The program, launched in August 2023, provides up to three free in-home nurse visits to all Orleans Parish residents giving birth at Ochsner Baptist or Touro hospital, regardless of insurance or income.
After demonstrating reduced Medicaid spending for mothers and babies nine months post-delivery, Family Connects New Orleans is now negotiating with Louisiana for commercial insurance and Medicaid coverage to expand its reach.
The initiative addresses the high-risk postpartum period by offering clinical and social support, mental health screenings, and resource referrals, aiming to lower maternal mortality and improve outcomes for new families in New Orleans.

Louisiana has the nation's worst maternal mortality. Can one nurse visit truly start to reverse this long-standing crisis?

With a proven $3.17 return on investment, why isn't postpartum home nursing a mandatory part of U.S. maternal care?

As new maternal health initiatives launch, how can states ensure these programs work together effectively instead of in silos?

Could universal nurse visits unintentionally weaken traditional family support systems by over-medicalizing the postpartum period?

New Jersey is going universal with nurse visits. What are the biggest hurdles preventing other states from following its lead?