Heartland Forward establishes center to enhance maternal health

Heartland Forward, a Bentonville-based think-and-do tank, has launched the Maternal and Child Health Center for Policy and Practice, aiming to advance maternal health and improve outcomes for families across the central United States.

The center was announced Thursday (May 8) at Heartland Forward’s flagship event, the Heartland Summit in Bentonville.

According to a 2024 Heartland Forward study, the United States spends about $165.3 billion annually on “avoidable medical expenses and lost economic productivity due to adverse pregnancy outcomes.” Of that amount, Arkansas spends about $1.8 billion. Arkansas has the highest maternal mortality rate in the United States.

Studies show that increased access to prenatal care, mental health services and community health workers could save the country $79 billion annually. According to a news release, the center is expected to “unite local leaders, health care providers and community organizations to develop effective solutions, share resources and leverage data to build healthier communities.” The center is not a physical building and is led by Cara Osborne, Heartland Forward senior fellow.

“Putting maternal and infant health first isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s the smartest, most powerful investment we can make in our communities,” said Olivia Walton, CEO of Ingeborg Investments and co-founder of the Heartland Summit. “I am proud to partner with Heartland Forward to ensure moms and babies get the care and support they need before, during and after birth, to build stronger, healthier families and economies.”

The release shows the center will be modeled on the National Governors Association (NGA) playbook for addressing the maternal and infant health crisis. The playbook was inspired by New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy’s Nurture NJ initiative, which is recognized for reducing racial disparities and improving maternal health by aligning state efforts around equity and access.

Over the past seven years, New Jersey has moved nationally from 47th to 28th for maternal mortality, from fifth to second for infant mortality, and from sixth to first for neonatal mortality. In the past year, New Jersey has moved from 36th to 25th for breastfeeding and from 32nd to 18th for severe maternal morbidity. Heartland Forward believes similar results can be achieved in the central United States.

“The launch of Heartland Forward’s Maternal and Child Health Center for Policy and Practice will undoubtedly help transform the maternal and infant health landscape in Arkansas and across the heartland,” Murphy said. “I am incredibly warmed to learn that this center will be modeled on the National Governors Association’s (NGA) Maternal and Infant Health Playbook, which I had the honor of spearheading in my time as chair of the NGA Spouses Program.”

According to the release, the center will help implement Arkansas’ maternal health plan, building on Gov. Sarah Sanders’ executive order and the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act. The center will work alongside more than 120 stakeholders, acting as a convener and technical leader to support initiatives such as reopening labor and delivery units through midwifery-led care and addressing regulatory, staffing and reimbursement challenges. The center’s work will begin in Arkansas and engage Heartland Health Caucus states, before expanding across all 20 heartland states, which includes Arkansas. The Heartland Health Caucus is a non-partisan group including health care policymakers, working alongside providers, funders, business and industry, philanthropic leaders and area “thought leaders to accelerate action and drive positive impact.”

“Improving maternal health in the heartland goes beyond addressing immediate care gaps — it’s about creating lasting, sustainable solutions for moms and babies,” Osborne said. “This center will equip health care leaders and providers with tools to drive better outcomes for mothers and their children. By working with state agencies and community organizations, we’re building data-driven models to tackle the unique challenges in rural and underserved areas, empowering expecting mothers, mothers and their children to thrive.”

The center will collaborate with area health leaders and community organizations to “strengthen care pathways and ensure access to quality maternal health services, particularly in rural areas,” the release shows. “Key strategies include integrating community health workers and doulas, enhancing data collection, and addressing racial and economic disparities through policy. The center plans to replicate this model in other heartland states and expand partnerships with community-based organizations, health systems and policymakers.”

In announcing the center’s launch, Heartland Forward was joined by founding partners Blue and You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas and the Centene Foundation.