Health Services

This study compares the characteristics of women giving birth in the State of Washington before and after the implementation of the First Steps Program. Women were divided into groups based on their Medicaid eligibility. Women newly eligible for Medicaid paid maternity service because of the expansion of Medicaid eligibility criteria under First Steps are known in this study as First Steps Expansion Group women. The characteristics of these women, their maternity care, and their birth outcomes are compared to other Medicaid women and women not covered by Medicaid.