Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: “Today, Medicaid is a key source of coverage for low-income pregnant women.  Without Medicaid, many of these women would remain uninsured and would not have the resources to obtain prenatal care.  Research has shown that babies born to women who do not receive adequate care are three times more likely to have a low birth weight — a leading cause of infant mortality — than babies born to women who receive prenatal care.  Prenatal care is also important in preventing birth complications that require more expensive treatment and in minimizing avoidable birth defects.  By ensuring that low-income pregnant women have timely and adequate access to health care, Medicaid plays a major role in improving birth outcomes across the country.”