There’s a troubling reality behind the U.S. having the highest maternal death rate in the developed world. We’ve become so accustomed to seeing crucial health programs for women continually debated and slashed by politicians who will never experience these services, that we might be becoming desensitized to the very real threats posed to our health and well-being. This indifference is nothing short of catastrophic.
Recent events have demonstrated that many lawmakers, often predominantly male and Republican, are not prioritizing our health. This isn’t just a theoretical concern; the statistics speak volumes. A lack of commitment to vital health services for women correlates directly with increased mortality rates.
Texas: A Case Study
Take Texas as a case study, a state notorious for its subpar support of women’s health. In 2011, the Republican-led legislature cut funding for family planning, cancer screenings, and well-woman care by 66 percent. As Wendy Jones points out, this decision led to the closure of 82 clinics—only about a third of which were associated with Planned Parenthood—leaving countless women without critical options. Since then, Texas has seen its maternal mortality rate double.
Currently, Medicaid in Texas provides coverage for mothers only for 60 days after delivery. A task force investigating the high maternal death rates has suggested that this coverage should extend to a year postpartum. But what will happen if Medicaid faces severe cuts, a fate that many Republicans are eager to initiate?
Understanding Medicaid
Medicaid is often misunderstood, largely due to stereotypes that imply those who rely on it are lazy or unmotivated. In reality, nearly 20 percent of Americans are covered by Medicaid, which supports over a third of the nation’s children and finances half of all births. The Affordable Care Act recognizes the necessity of providing care to all pregnant women, ensuring that even those just above the federal income threshold can access Medicaid. This is a positive move—unless you believe that pregnant women and children should go without insurance.
Texas exemplifies the dire consequences of refusing Medicaid expansion and limiting coverage for new mothers. Between 2010 and 2014, 600 women died from pregnancy-related causes in Texas alone. When we hear that the U.S. has the highest maternal death rate among developed nations, we gasp in disbelief. But the answer is simple: when we disregard the needs of women and the essential services they require, the outcome is fatal. If you support cutting Medicaid or defunding Planned Parenthood, you are contributing to an increase in maternal deaths.
Investigative Findings
A collaborative investigation by NPR and ProPublica uncovered alarming findings: “More American women are dying of pregnancy-related complications than in any other developed country. Only in the U.S. has this rate been rising.” They attempted to track the 700-900 women who died from pregnancy-related issues in 2016, uncovering stories of ordinary women—mothers, professionals, friends—who lost their lives.
The failure to adequately monitor maternal deaths has been labeled “an international embarrassment.” In their endeavor to fill this information gap, ProPublica and NPR scoured social media to learn about these lost mothers, highlighting the many missed opportunities to prevent these tragedies.
Taking Action
So, what can we do to safeguard women and children? If you are covered by Medicaid, fight to maintain it. Contact your representatives, make your voices heard, and advocate for extending postpartum coverage to a full year, since 60 percent of maternal deaths occur after six weeks postpartum. “Fight with everything you’ve got,” advises Emily Roberts. Make it clear to your lawmakers just how critical these services are for you and your family. Remember, programs that support pregnant women, children, the disabled, and the elderly are not the burdens they are often portrayed to be. If we cannot protect our most vulnerable citizens, what does that say about us? If we fail to act, we cannot be surprised by the staggering maternal mortality statistics and must ask ourselves, “Why?”
We know the reasons. What we need is action to change the narrative.
Further Reading
For more insights into fertility and health, you can explore related resources, like the importance of men’s health and the role of advocacy in healthcare, which you can find at this authoritative source. Additionally, for a deeper understanding of the intersection of genetics and reproductive health, visit this excellent resource.
Summary
The U.S. has the highest maternal death rate among developed nations, a shocking statistic that stems from inadequate support for women’s health services. Cuts to Medicaid and family planning programs directly correlate with increased mortality rates. Advocacy for extending Medicaid coverage postpartum and preserving essential health services is vital to protect women and children.