Public Health Commons^™

Congenital Syphilis In The Medicaid Program: Assessing Challenges And Opportunities Through The Experiences Of Seven Southern States, Naomi Seiler, Claire Heyison, Paige Organick-Lee, Aaron Karacuschansky, Gregory Dwyer, Alexis Osei, Helen Stoll, Katie Horton

Health Policy and Management Informal Communications

Congenital syphilis (CS) is an infection acquired in utero that can lead to devastating outcomes, including stillbirth, infant death, or long-term health complications. Over the past decade, rising national rates of syphilis, including among women, have led to major increases in congenital syphilis cases and deaths.

CS is tragic and costly, but it is also preventable. With appropriate testing and treatment during prenatal care, syphilis in a pregnant woman can be identified and treated, and transmission to the fetus averted.

The Medicaid program is the payer for nearly half of all births in the U.S., making the program a crucial …

Increasing Access To Sti Services In The Medicaid Program, Naomi Seiler, Katie Horton, Darla Bishop, Madina Adil, Claire Heyison

Health Policy and Management Informal Communications

The United States is undergoing an epidemic of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. All three bacterial infections are detectable and treatable, yet they often go diagnosed. Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea can lead to serious pelvic infections and infertility; untreated syphilis can result in severe complications, including death. Congenital syphilis is increasing as well, with a concurrent rise in stillbirth and newborn deaths.

Increased resources and heightened attention are urgently needed to supplement the work of the public health infrastructure, for which STI funding has remained stagnant for two decades. Fortunately, the Medicaid program is well situated …