Community Health Alliance and SilverSummit Healthplan Join Forces to Improve Women’s Healthcare in Nevada with New Maternal Health Program

SilverSummit Healthplan has awarded a $75,000 grant to CHA to support newly launched maternal health program.

Community Health Alliance (CHA) is excited to announce a new maternal health program designed to enhance women’s healthcare across Northern Nevada. This initiative will focus on expanding access to prenatal, postpartum, and newborn pediatric care, particularly for underserved communities. The need for improved maternal care is urgent in Nevada, where many women, particularly African American and Latino populations, face significant barriers to receiving essential prenatal care.

As part of this initiative, SilverSummit Healthplan has awarded a $75,000 grant to CHA to support their newly launched maternal health program. This collaboration aims to increase healthcare access and improve outcomes for women and children by addressing gaps in care, particularly for those who may otherwise go without.

A key element of this effort is CHA’s commitment to midwifery care, which is proven to be cost-effective while improving patient outcomes. Midwives specialize in low-risk pregnancies and natural births, utilizing a personalized, low-intervention approach that leads to lower cesarean section rates and enhanced birthing experiences. Families can save up to 30-50 percent on healthcare costs when choosing midwifery care outside of hospital settings.

“Improving access to maternal healthcare is critical to ensuring healthier outcomes for women and their children, particularly in underserved communities,” said Community Health Alliance’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Travis Walker, MD, MPH, FAAFP. “The support from SilverSummit Healthplan allows us to expand midwifery care, offering more personalized, cost-effective services that lead to better outcomes for families. Together, we’re committed to making a meaningful difference in maternal and child health for those who would otherwise go without.”

Currently, CHA supports approximately 90 maternal health patients and has the capacity to serve up to 200. Midwives provide labor support, education for families, and collaborate with OB-GYNs when a pregnancy requires more specialized care.

“At the heart of our mission is the well-being of mothers and their babies. The disparities we see in prenatal care access and outcomes, particularly among women of color in Washoe County, are unacceptable and represent urgent challenges,” said Nicole King, VP Community Solutions, SilverSummit Healthplan. “By partnering with CHA, we can transform these disparities into success stories, ensuring that every mother receives the quality care she deserves for a healthy pregnancy and a strong baby.”

Nevada’s maternal health statistics reveal a significant need for improvement:

• 44th in the rate of infants born with congenital syphilis
• 49th for women 18-64 who reported being in fair or poor health
• 45th in the percentage of women without health insurance
• 50th for women 18-44 who couldn’t see a needed doctor because of the cost
• 46th in the country for the number of OB-GYNs per 100,000 people

Through this collaborative effort, CHA and SilverSummit Healthplan are committed to transforming these troubling statistics by improving access to high-quality maternal healthcare in Northern Nevada.

Learn more about CHA’s maternal health program or call (775) 329-6300 to schedule an appointment.