2024 AABC Public Advocate Award Presented to Megan Warfield-Kimball

Recognized for her efforts within the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Megan Warfield-Kimball received the 2024 AABC Public Advocate Award at the 2024 AABC Birth Institute. Warfield-Kimball's advocacy has made a significant impact on the field of midwifery and birth center care in the state.

As the Benefit Policy Specialist within the DHS, Warfield-Kimball has been instrumental in bringing birth centers to the table and initiating open and constructive conversation about the challenges they face, particularly regarding Medicaid reimbursement. By convening a group of experts from various departments within DHS, she has spearheaded efforts to seek meaningful changes to the payment structure, potentially leading to significant improvements in the viability of birth centers in Minnesota.

Although birth centers cover a small fraction of Medicaid births in the state, Warfield-Kimball sees the importance of community birth and the birth center model and is sincere in her commitment to do what she can to reduce barriers for birth centers. She is honest when discussing the limitations and barriers that are faced internally at DHS and how DHS can or can’t influence what managed care companies do. Without her advocacy, Minnesota birth centers would be much farther away from realizing much needed changes.

The AABC is honored to recognize Megan Warfield-Kimball for her inclusive allyship and work to reduce barriers to birth centers for Minnesota Medicaid beneficiaries. Her efforts have paved the way for a brighter future for maternal care in Minnesota.