Healthcare Policy & Funding - The potential expiration of Affordable Care Act tax credits and previous Medicaid cuts by President Trump could lead to skyrocketing insurance premiums for millions of Americans, disproportionately affecting women [2] - Medicaid has been a crucial pillar of women's health coverage for the past 15 years, with nearly 24 million women aged 19 and older enrolled last year [3] - Medicaid funds over 40% of all births in the US, making it the largest single-payer for pregnancy-related services [3] - In 2021, Medicaid accounted for 64% of deliveries among Black mothers [12] - Defunding Medicaid is expected to reverse progress in maternal health, worsening the maternal mortality crisis as mothers lose access to care [6] Maternal Mortality Crisis - The US has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among high-income countries, with over 2,300 mothers dying during childbirth each year in Louisiana and Mississippi alone [5] - Medicaid expansions have been linked to a 17% drop in hospitalizations during the first 60 days postpartum [6] - Black women have higher maternal death rates than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States, with most deaths being preventable but influenced by racial bias in healthcare [8] - Structural racism and sexism contribute to higher maternal mortality rates, particularly for Black women, leading to outcomes worse than some countries in the Middle East [22] Systemic Issues & Solutions - Systemic issues such as historical reasons, lack of being listened to, maternal deserts, and bias contribute to the maternal mortality crisis [18] - Some states are allegedly refusing to count maternal deaths, despite awareness that the situation is worsening [16] - Eugenics and white supremacy are identified as real factors contributing to the disparities in maternal health outcomes [25] - Addressing food insecurity and ensuring access to nutrition for pregnant women and mothers are crucial needs [20]