The First Steps Project was designed to bring maternity care services to Washington's lower income women. Beginning August 1, 1989, Medicaid income eligibility ceilings were increased from 90% to 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. New services such as maternity case management and maternity support services also became available. The primary purpose of this report is to describe the women eligible for the First Steps Project. The report also provides information on all Washington women giving birth in non-military hospitals during the last two weeks of June 1990.
