This retrospective study analyzed prenatal care use in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) over an 11 year period (1985-1996), both before and after the opening of a centralized "U.S. medical model" hospital. Previously, prenatal care had been provided in decentralized neighborhood health clinics, and included a network of lay-women caring for women. Use of prenatal care is poor compared to that in both the U.S. and Guam, and widely divergent from the goals outlined by Healthy People 2000. The effect of the centralization and consolidation of medical care on the delivery of prenatal care is discussed, as is the influence of the imported U.S.-like 3rd party payer insurance model that was recently introduced. A reveiw is also included of the demographics and current social and economic forces as they relate to regulation of access to medical care. Major business interests in Saipan employ mostly non-resident aliens, and access to medical care is part of the restrictions experienced by these people.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: identify possible consequences of the importation of U.S.-based health care models
Keywords: Prenatal Care, Asian and Pacific Islander Women
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.