OH SB279

Director of Health must establish a prenatal group health care pilot program based on the Centering Pregnancy model by June 30, 2014, operating for two years at four federally qualified health centers (two rural, two urban).

Pilot program participants must demonstrate adequate space for groups of up to 20 pregnant patients, in-kind resources, at least 100 annual births, an internal champion for the model, and ability to implement quickly.

Program goals include decreasing preterm births with low birth weight, increasing first trimester prenatal care initiation and appropriate folic acid consumption, smoking cessation, and screening for depression, HIV, diabetes, and oral health issues, plus increasing breastfeeding rates.

Director must submit written reports to the Governor and General Assembly by July 1 each year beginning in 2015, evaluating program data and progress toward stated goals.

Appropriates $500,000 from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal year 2015 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2016 to implement the pilot project.