Pilot to add remote maternal monitoring for Medicaid enrollees proposed to address disparities
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Summary
HB1538 would fund a pilot program to provide remote patient monitoring (blood pressure, weight, glucose) for high‑risk pregnant and postpartum Medicaid enrollees; sponsor emphasized racial disparities and transportation barriers, while members raised fiscal concerns.
Delegate Jamila Woods presented House Bill 1538 to create a Maryland Medical Assistance Program pilot offering remote maternal monitoring to high‑risk pregnant and postpartum patients enrolled in Medicaid.
Woods said the pilot would supply remote monitoring technology to track blood pressure, weight and blood glucose and allow clinicians to intervene earlier for conditions such as maternal hypertension and diabetes — leading contributors to poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. The sponsor framed the bill as a targeted response to documented disparities: she noted Black women experience maternal mortality rates roughly four times higher than white women and described participation barriers including transportation and inability to take time off from work.
Woods, speaking from personal experience with gestational diabetes, argued continuous monitoring can reduce preventable complications and connect underserved patients to care. The sponsor requested a favorable report but acknowledged the committee’s fiscal concerns; members said the program is laudable but budget constraints could make immediate funding difficult. No vote occurred at the hearing, and the sponsor said she would continue to work with the committee on the fiscal note and implementation timeline.
