Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Marks Three Years of Progress Through Expanded Special Beginnings Program

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Marks Three Years of Progress Through Expanded Special Beginnings Program

RICHARDSON, Texas - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas announced the third anniversary of its expanded Special Beginnings® Maternal and Infant Health Initiative, highlighting investments and partnerships supporting healthier outcomes for moms and babies statewide. The initiative aims to improve the health of moms and babies with increasing focus on access to quality care, reducing resource and care gaps and supporting families across the state.

Maternal health remains a critical issues as Texas ranks 40th in the United States for preterm births. According to the 2025 March of Dimes report, the state's maternal mortality rate stands at 29.3 deaths per 100,000 live births, higher than the national average, while 22.8% of women lack adequate access to prenatal care.

"As we celebrate another year of the initiative, we are proud of the impact we've made through our partnerships," said Dr. Angela Moemeka, chief medical officer for government programs at BCBSTX. "Our commitment continues as we help moms, babies and families access the care, resources and services they need to achieve healthier outcomes."

Since expanding in 2024, the initiative has strengthened maternal health resources and services statewide, including:

• Serving more than 180,000 people through community and clinical partners specializing in maternal health services.
• Screening for nearly 374,000 for sexually transmitted diseases and cervical cancer among preconception and prenatal patients.
• Distributing nearly 8,200 prenatal vitamin bottles through community partners.
• Helping program partners deliver more than 7,700 healthy babies.

The initiative is helping address maternal health challenges statewide through sustained investment and collaboration. Learn more about BCBSTX's impact in its 2025 Maternal and Infant Health Impact Report.

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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas - the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas - is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with more than 168,000 physicians and health care practitioners, and 550 hospitals to serve nearly eight million members in all 254 counties. BCBSTX is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas). Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association..