Access to nutritious food is playing an expanded role in supporting healthier pregnancies across Louisiana.
A new enhancement to meal delivery services is helping women with high-risk pregnancies access consistent, medically tailored nutrition during a critical time for both mother and baby. The expansion builds on an existing meal benefit that supports members recovering after a hospital stay.
Through this update, eligible pregnant members can now receive meal deliveries during the prenatal period following hospitalization—helping address food insecurity and improve health outcomes. Proper nutrition during pregnancy is closely linked to healthier birth weights, reduced risk of premature delivery, and improved long-term health for children.
“Proper nutrition is foundational to a healthy pregnancy, especially for members who are high-risk or experiencing food insecurity,” said Dr. Dana Lawson, Senior Vice President of Population Health & Clinical Operations at Louisiana Healthcare Connections. “With these meal deliveries, we are eliminating a key barrier to health and ensuring that more women have access to the nutritious meals they need.”
The post-hospital meal benefit remains available and continues to support recovery for eligible members. This includes two meals per day for seven days following discharge, along with medically tailored meals designed to meet individual health needs. Protein shakes are also provided when needed to support recovery and nutrition goals.
All meals are developed by registered dietitians and designed to support recovery, manage chronic conditions, and promote overall health. By expanding access to nutrition during pregnancy, this initiative helps address one of the key factors that can influence maternal and infant health outcomes.
These efforts reflect a broader focus on supporting whole-person health by addressing barriers like food insecurity and ensuring members have access to the resources they need for healthier pregnancies and safer deliveries.