County convenes partners after SeaMar stops maternal services; public health seeks solutions for Medicaid access

County staff reported ongoing efforts to address gaps in prenatal and maternal care after SeaMar (the county's federally qualified health center) stopped providing maternal services.

Jordan Boie told the council that he, Chair Marshall and public health staff met with state Sens. Cleveland and Harris and representatives from local hospitals, including PeaceHealth Legacy Vancouver Clinic, to discuss how to improve access for expecting mothers, particularly those on Medicaid. "It is really difficult to access pregnancy care if you're on Medicaid," Boie said, summarizing the convening.

Boie said public health is convening the right system partners to explore solutions, including options to get SeaMar reengaged with maternal services and to identify other providers to better serve Medicaid patients. He cautioned that the county cannot directly provide maternal care itself but can convene stakeholders and facilitate system fixes.

Staff signaled that outcomes from the convening could be returned to the council through the board of health in coming meetings, and that public health will continue data collection and interagency coordination to identify policy and operational next steps.