By Jabren Cannida
The maternal mortality rate and how each state deals with it is different all across the country. Some states have noticed it when it is low and continue to keep it low and others let it rise too much so it is hard to control. One region we have not looked at yet is the eastern region of the United States. One of the few states we will be taking a look at is Virgina. Virginia has shown to be able to keep their maternal mortality rate better than the United States’s average but for black women they are still twice as likely to pass away due to a pregnancy related death. One thing the state has found out is that easy access to better health care is the key. In Cheryl Harris Sutton’s article “Taking steps to cut maternal mortality in Virginia” it says “We can save lives if we ensure access to health care before, during and after pregnancy. This is especially important for low-income women and women of color.” which is very much true. Many black women do not have access to quality health care because many states do not put good hospitals in black neighborhoods. In the same article it states that Virginia has also increased their Medicaid coverage programs to 60 days postpartum but unlike other states it has more benefits. One of the benefits is oral healthcare leading up to pregnancy. In the article it states “Four in 10 of all pregnant women have tooth decay or gum disease from changing hormones, and those that do are at higher risk for poor birth outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm delivery and risk of preeclampsia.” This is a serious issue because poor oral health can lead to high blood pressure which could cause preeclampsia and preeclampsia happens more commonly in pregnant black women. From what I have previously read, increasing the Medicaid coverage to 60 days won’t be as effective because complications after pregnancy can happen for up to a year afterwards but maybe the extra benefits will help. In North Carolina they have also taken steps to combat the maternal mortality rate for black women. In Melba Newsome’s article “NC congresswoman tackles maternal health disparities” she tells the sad story of how congresswoman Alma Adams created the Kira Johnson act. During a press conference on April 16th, Alma Adams held up a picture of Mrs. Kira Johnson. Kira Johnson was a 39 year old pregnant black woman who had “good” prenatal and health care. In 2016 she had a planned C- section for her second child and after the operation Mrs. Johnson’s husband noticed a lot of blood running through her catheter which is a sign of excessive bleeding or postpartum hemorrhage. Even though Johnson’s husband alerted the medical team repeatedly they waited 24 hours until returning her to surgery to stop the bleeding. By the time the medical staff got to her she had been hemorrhaging internally for almost 10 hours and she passed away during surgery. This story hit so close to home for Alma Adams that she named an act after Kira Johnson as part of the Black Maternal Momnibus of 2020 which is a bill written to reduce the maternal mortality rate for black women. In North Carolina black women are 3 to 4 times more likely to pass away due to pregnancy complications and they are twice as likely to lose their babies before they can reach their first birthday. The Momnibus is a bill in North Carolina is backed by more than 100 organizations. According to the article the bill is supported by Black Women’s Health Imperative, the National Perinatal Task Force, the NAACP, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Center for Reproductive Rights. Most of these organizations support the betterment of black lives. The Momnibus bill has 9 individual bills in it that provides funding to invest in maternal mental health care, grow and diversify the perinatal workforce, and extend health insurance coverage from pregnancy up to one year postpartum. North Carolina seems to be trying to help black women and keep them safe and healthy. One state that seems to be struggling to help its black women is Kentucky. In Kentucky many legislators have tried to reduce the state’s maternal mortality rate for black women. In the article “Kentucky Lawmakers Seek Solutions For Maternal Mortality Increase” by Ryland Barton it states “Democratic women in the legislature filed 21 bills to try and expand health care access to mothers and children, though none of the measures passed.” which is really sad. It almost seems as though some of the men in the government do care about these issues. One bill was able to be passed though. The bill required an annual report on maternal mortality information on race, income and geography, but some of the new requirements could be applied. In the article it says Kentucky’s deputy public health commissioner said that health care providers need to be a part of the solution. While this is true if bills aren’t being passed that at least force them to do anything I don’t think they will. Currently Kentucky’s maternal mortality rate isn’t the highest in the country but it is still pretty high. Hopefully things can change for their healthcare system making it better for black women.
Reflective Journal 