A recent study published in JAMA Health Forum reveals significant racial and ethnic disparities in out-of-pocket spending for maternity care. The research, led by the University of Maryland School of Public Health and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, found that Black, Hispanic, and Asian individuals with private insurance pay more for maternity care compared to their white counterparts.
Dr. Rebecca Gourevitch, the study’s lead author, highlighted that Black individuals face the highest out-of-pocket costs throughout pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care. The study shows that Black people paid on average 74% more for recommended prenatal care services, while Hispanic and Asian people paid 51% and 4% more, respectively. These disparities were most pronounced during pregnancy, with smaller differences observed at delivery and postpartum.
The researchers analyzed data from over 87,000 pregnancies covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts between 2018 and 2022. They found that out-of-pocket costs for Black and Hispanic individuals represented a significantly higher proportion of their household income. Dr. Mark Friedberg, a co-author of the study, noted that high coinsurance rates, which are more common in insurance plans for Black and Hispanic people, drive these spending disparities.
This study underscores the urgent need for equitable healthcare practices to address the financial burden on minority communities. By understanding and addressing these disparities, healthcare providers and policymakers can work towards more inclusive and fair maternity care.
See: “Maternity care spending: Study reveals racial and ethnic disparities” (February 28, 2025)
