Building Stronger Systems for Mothers and Babies: January 2026 Insights from Across Texas
At MCH Impact Partners, we are committed to strengthening maternal and infant health systems through collaboration, innovation, and sustainable solutions. Each month, we highlight new data, statewide initiatives, and opportunities for leaders and communities to work together to support families across Texas.
This month’s blog focuses on three key areas:
The March of Dimes 2025 Report Card for Texas
The Texas Breastfeeding Coalition’s updated website and 2026 membership launch
A priority recommendation from the Texas Lactation Consultant Landscape Analysis
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Texas Earns a “D” on the March of Dimes 2025 Report Card
The March of Dimes 2025 Report Card offers an important look at how states are performing on maternal and infant health. Texas received a grade of D, signaling ongoing challenges in early outcomes and access to care.
Key findings for Texas:
43,344 babies were born preterm in 2024.
Texas ranks 40th of 52 (including all states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico) with a preterm birth rate of 11.1 percent.
Texas is among the top twenty states with the lowest severe maternal morbidity rates, suggesting progress in hospital-based maternal care.
Texas is implementing two of six March of Dimes initiatives designed to improve maternal and infant health statewide.
These findings show both urgent needs and early signs of progress. Preterm birth continues to affect thousands of families each year. However, improvements in maternal morbidity and the expansion of statewide initiatives demonstrate momentum toward better systems of care.
Explore the data in your community
Local trends vary widely across Texas. Communities experiencing higher preterm birth rates often face barriers to transportation, postpartum support, or clinical services.
Use the March of Dimes PeriStats tool to explore county-level data and identify local needs:
https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/
Texas Breastfeeding Coalition: New Website and 2026 Membership Drive
The Texas Breastfeeding Coalition (TXBC) has launched a redesigned website and opened membership for 2026. This update makes it easier for families, advocates, and providers to find resources, engage in policy work, and connect with partners statewide.
Why TXBC Membership Matters
Membership supports:
Community-informed policy efforts
Training and professional development
Shared tools that make it easier for families to find lactation support
A statewide network of leaders committed to reducing disparities in feeding support
If you work in maternal and infant health, lactation support, community-based services, or advocacy, membership is a meaningful way to strengthen the statewide network.
Explore the TXBC website: https://texasbfc.org
Join or renew membership for 2026: https://texasbfc.org/join-now
Priority Recommendation: Clarifying Medicaid Payment Structures for Lactation Consultants
The Texas Lactation Consultant Landscape Analysis, conducted by MCH Impact Partners with support from the Episcopal Health Foundation, highlights several urgent needs across the lactation workforce.
One of the most significant recommendations calls for clear, consistent Medicaid policy and payment structures for lactation consultants, particularly during Texas House Bill 136 implementation.
Why this matters for families and providers
Families with Medicaid coverage face persistent barriers when seeking lactation care. Payment and authorization processes vary across Managed Care Organizations. These inconsistencies can delay care or limit the number of visits available.
The Landscape Analysis recommends:
Defining benefits that cover both the parent and infant when clinically needed
Standardizing billing codes, modifiers, and documentation rules
Allowing time-based billing that reflects visit complexity
Increasing technical assistance and training to support workforce growth
Improving Medicaid structures can help families across urban and rural communities receive timely, skilled lactation support and can strengthen the long-term stability of the workforce.
Read the full Landscape Analysis on our website: https://www.mchimpact.com/projects
Stay Connected
MCH Impact Partners publishes a monthly newsletter with updates on maternal and infant health, state and national policy shifts, new tools, and collaborative opportunities across Texas.
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