(The Center Square) – A bill that would establish a remote maternal health monitoring program has been referred to the Senate Health and Human Services committee.
The legislation, spearheaded by a bipartisan group of moms, aims to improve health outcomes for women who find themselves unable to access doctors’ offices with the recommended frequency for expectant mothers.
Specifically, pregnant women should be monitored for signs of hypertension and diabetes, both of which can endanger the lives of both mother and child if gone unchecked.
The bill would launch a pilot program through the Department of Health that would allow women to receive remote care, addressing the maternity deserts that have spread throughout much of the rural regions of the state.
“Remote patient monitoring has been shown to improve health outcomes, reduce maternal mortality, and lower the overall cost of care,” write the bill’s sponsors. “This program will allow providers to track key health indicators in real time, intervening early when complications arise, and ensuring better support for expecting and postpartum parents.”
Among those sponsoring the legislation are Amanda Capelletti, D-Norristown; Judy Schwank, D-Reading; Maria Collett, D-Fort Washington; Lynda Schlegel Culver, R-Shamokin Dam; and Rosemary Brown, R-Scotrun.
The bill would expand on recent legislative pushes to improve the state’s maternal healthcare. In July, Rep. La’Tasha Mayes saw success with a pair of bills in the House that would require insurers to cover home blood pressure monitors for pregnant and postpartum women.
