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CME Credit Offered
CME Credit Offered
Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Recording available 2/16-5/2
Recording available 2/16-5/2
AIUM Credit
AIUM Credit
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Foundation Awardee
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Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Foundation Awardee
Foundation Awardee

Poster Session 4

Category: Healthcare Policy/Economics

Poster Session 4

(1044) A Comprehensive Analysis of Maternal Health Policy in the State of Illinois

Thursday, February 12, 2026
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM  
Objective:
Policy has tremendous implications for maternal health (MH). The objective of this study was to understand the Illinois policy landscape related to MH and its alignment with policy recommendations from the March of Dimes (MOD) and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG). 

Study Design:
Using the READ (Ready your materials, Extract data, Analyze data, and Distill your findings) framework, we conducted an analysis of all proposed and approved MH legislation in the state of Illinois over a 14-year period (2010-2024).  Our team developed a search tool to identify maternal health laws using the Illinois General Assembly database. We used an iterative approach to remove duplicates, resolutions, and bills not pertinent to MH, resulting in an analytical sample that was entered into MaxQDA, coded, and reviewed for alignment or misalignment with 10 MOD and 28 ACOG maternal health policy recommendations, both of which can be found on their respective websites within their policy priorities. 

Results:
From 2010-2024, a total of 56 bills related to MH were introduced into the Illinois state legislature, and 23% (n=13) were passed into law. The largest number of bills focused on maternal mortality, with 30 bills introduced and all 30 aligned with ACOG and MOD recommendations; 5 were passed into law. Abortion rights was the second most common MH topic of legislation, with 29 bills introduced, 5 bills that aligned with ACOG policy recommendations and 24 bills that were misaligned; no bills were passed into law. 

Conclusion:

In the state of Illinois, most MH legislation either focused on maternal mortality and aligned with MOD and AGOG recommendations, or focused on abortion rights and was misaligned with recommendations. Our analysis highlights the competing priorities in MH in the current political landscape and the need for ongoing advocacy for legislation that meets evidence-based recommendations.