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Maternal Levels of Care Program
In 2018, the Louisiana legislature found and declared that maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and unexpected outcomes of pregnancy and birth resulting in significant health consequences were rising in the United States, and that these outcomes occur more frequently in Louisiana than in other states (Act 497 of the 2018 Louisiana legislative session).
The Louisiana Department of Health’s, Health Standards Section addresses maternal levels of care in its Hospital regulations at LAC Tit. 48.I. Chapter 95, Subchapter S. Obstetrical and Newborn Services, Sections 9511 – 9517. The Department continues its mission of promoting and protecting the health of Louisiana residents by working to ensure regulatory enforcement of all birthing hospitals with standards that align with national programs and regulations in order to improve maternal outcomes in Louisiana.
The Maternal Levels of Care Program (MLC Program) within the Health Standards Section, in collaboration with the Office of Public Health (OPH) and the Bureau of Family Health (BFH), is working to improve maternal care outcomes in Louisiana as part of the Maternal Health Innovation Initiative. Louisiana consistently ranks below the national average in key perinatal health indicators, including maternal mortality, prematurity, and severe maternal morbidity.
Beginning January 1st, 2026, the MLC Program team will initiate baseline surveys of all birth hospital locations in Louisiana. These surveys are designed to assess each facility's compliance with current State licensing regulations (as outlined in the Louisiana Administrative Code) in relation to their declared level of maternal care.
The MLC Program team has taken on several key responsibilities:
- Developing a more effective and proactive survey process to support continuous quality improvement.
- Establishing specialized survey teams and assessment tools to accurately verify hospital compliance at each level of maternal care.
Licensing Regulations
Memos, Notices, and Legislation
- Maternal Levels of Care Memo - January 2026
- Act 497 of the 2018 Louisiana legislative session
- House Resolution (HR) 294 of the 2019 Louisiana legislative session
- Improving Access to Maternity Care Act
- How many levels of care are there in Louisiana?
- There are 5 levels of care for obstetrical units in Louisiana.
- What are they?
- Level 1: Basic Care
- Level 2: Specialty Care
- Level 3: Subspecialty Care
- Level 3R: Regional Transfer Unit
- Level 4: Regional Subspecialty Perinatal Health Care
- Who is the point of contact for this program if I have questions?
- The MLC Program Manager, Britteny Granger, may be contacted using the information provided at the bottom of this page.
- Who do I contact about licensing and changes in obstetrical units?
- The point of contact for licensing and any changes will be the Hospital program licensing desk:
- Jennifer Haines at [email protected]
- Missy Jacobs at [email protected]
- The point of contact for licensing and any changes will be the Hospital program licensing desk:
- How do I find out what level of care my hospital obstetrical unit is?
- How do I know what changes have been made to the State Licensing Regulations?