The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation will award about $40 million in grants to test approaches that can help reduce the rising number of pre-term births in the U.S.

HHS reports that more than half a million infants are born prematurely each year, and that pre-term births often require early intervention services and special education for these children. Meanwhile, pre-term infants may also have conditions that could affect their productivity as adults. The new “Strong Start” initiative will focus on preventing pre-term births and also on reducing early elective deliveries that can result in a variety of health problems for mothers and infants. Up to 10% of all deliveries are scheduled as surgical deliveries before 39 weeks that are not medically indicated, according to HHS.

“As a nurse, I know the importance of prenatal care and the risks associated with early deliveries,” acting CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner said in a news release. “Through Strong Start, we hope to learn the most effective ways to prevent pre-term births and to promote those activities across all providers as well as payers, public and private, to improve the health of all mothers and their infants.”

HHS also reports that preventing preterm births can save money, as the department estimates the cost of medical care in the first year of life for pre-term babies covered by Medicaid averages about $20,000, compared with $2,100 for full-term infants.

Healthcare providers and coalitions will be awarded the grant money to improve prenatal care for women covered by Medicaid. That money is intended to test different approaches, such as case-management services at birth centers, at maternity care homes where pregnant women have expanded access to better coordinated prenatal care, and through group visits with other pregnant women.