"In our nation, we are looking at the fact that more women are facing death because of childbirth than in any other developed nation,” Harris told journalists Thursday.April 15, 2022, 8:00 PM UTCIn December, Vice President Kamala Harris hosted the first federal Maternal Health Day of Action at the White House, where she issued a call to improve health outcomes for parents and infants in the U.S.
In 2018, then-Senator Harris introduced the first congressional resolution recognizing Black Maternal Health Week, along with Rep. Alma Adams, D-N.C. In 2019, Adams co-founded the Black Maternal Health Caucus with Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Ill., a nurse who recently said the issue should be elevated “as a national priority.”
The resolution, which more than 100 members of Congress and organizations such as the March of Dimes have supported, underscores the disproportionate health complications Black women experience during pregnancy. Regardless of income, this demographic is three time more likely to face maternal morbidities than their white counterparts, something the lawmakers attributed to “structural racism and gender oppression in maternal health care experiences.
Last month, the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act, sponsored by Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., was signed into law as part of the FY22 Appropriations package. The measure authorizes funding to address biases in health care services that affect care for racial and ethnic groups. Additionally, the bill would provide funding to establish obstetric networks to improve birth outcomes and reduce maternal morbidity in rural areas.
“We have made progress during the past two years in advancing policies to save the lives of Black mommas, but there is still a long way to go,” said Kelly. “I am looking forward to talking about what’s next for maternal health policy.”
NBCBLK never vote for a person who favors one group over all others.... blatent discrimination s/b grounds for impeachment...
NBCBLK She’s just reminding us it’s better to have Joe as president than her
NBCBLK These people just can't stop wanting you to kill off innocent beautiful black babies. I will never understand it...
NBCBLK Maybe they should keep their legs closed until they are old enough to have a job and a husband.
NBCBLK Why don't they do something about the fact that about half the states are trying to FORCE women to give birth or die in the process despite the women not wanting to do either?
NBCBLK All maternal health should be the priority of someone who is supposed to represent all Americans.
NBCBLK