Chair Madeline Weisner and program staff summarized Department of Health Care Services activity affecting Medi‑Cal and midwifery access.

TIMA pilots. Weisner reported that DHCS was selected by CMS as one of 15 states to pilot the Transforming Maternal Health Model (TIMA), a care‑delivery and payment demonstration intended to test evidence‑informed interventions supported by value‑based payment. The pilot will operate in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera and Tulare counties, and DHCS was convening stakeholder sessions for local providers and organizations.

Postpartum Pathway concept paper. Weisner reviewed a concept paper produced by DHCS and stakeholders that proposes a measurable, whole‑person postpartum care pathway intended for testing by health plans and providers. The pathway emphasizes team‑based coordination, a lead maternity care manager, patient education, workforce development, behavioral‑health screening (perinatal mood disorders), and data sharing; the paper repeatedly referenced postpartum care across the full year after birth. Weisner noted the paper uses the word "midwife" 16 times and said midwives should give public feedback on implementation choices.

Access and consultation concerns. Weisner reported DHCS specifically requested input about difficulty obtaining physician consultations (OB/GYN, family practice, MFM) for midwives under Medi‑Cal or Medi‑Cal managed care contracts. She asked licensed midwives and clients with access problems to notify DHCS so the agency can document barriers.

Public comment and implementation questions. Members and public commenters raised questions about operationalizing screening and referral for perinatal mental health where workforce capacity is limited. Participants emphasized that screening without referral capacity could be harmful and urged pilot designs to include realistic referral pathways and coordination with managed care plans.

Why this matters. If pilots and the Postpartum Pathway move from concept to implementation, they could reshape Medi‑Cal postpartum coverage, payment arrangements and provider workflows in targeted counties and beyond. The council was asked to monitor stakeholder meetings and to share practical access problems with DHCS.