Our health care system is broken. Black women across the country are suffering and dying. >> An intimate moment of pain captured for the world to see is now sparking legislative change.>> Mercedes courage propelled me to introduce new legislation to protect all moms. >> Earlier this month, a black woman, Mercedes Wells, labored for 6 hours at Franciscan Health Crown Point Hospital in Indiana before she was discharged without ever seeing a doctor. Minutes later, she gave birth in her car.The video prompted b ...

You've likely seen that now viral video of a black mother in pain at an Indiana hospital. It resonated with viewers and health care professionals who saw it. And as we reported yesterday, it sparked new legislation, the Wells Act, that aims to protect pregnant people who were in labor. The legislation is in response to images that show Mercedes Wells crying and in pain at Franciscan Health Crown Point. Wells says she was in labor for 6 hours and seen by a nurse, but she was ultimately discharged without eve ...

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]