CONTACT:
Gwen Pepin
[email protected]
Springfield, IL — During Black Maternal Health Week, Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez highlights Democratic efforts to address the maternal mortality crisis and save lives. In Illinois, Black women are currently about three times as likely to experience a pregnancy-related death as White women, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. While Republicans have ignored this crisis and continue to strip away reproductive freedom across the nation, Illinois Democrats have made it a priority to confront and address how gaps in the health care system negatively impact maternal morbidity and mortality for women of color.
“In Illinois and across the country, Black women have too long faced devastating barriers to accessible maternal care, leading to disproportionately higher pregnancy-related complications and mortality rates. While the Biden-Harris Administration and Illinois Democrats are addressing this crisis head on, Donald Trump is hellbent on worsening Black maternal health by pushing to repeal the Affordable Care Act and unleashing extreme abortion bans across the country.
Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans are waging a war on reproductive rights that disproportionately harms Black women as he and his MAGA allies plan to ban abortion nationwide, with or without Congress. This November, the stakes could not be higher, and Illinoisans will head to the polls knowing that healthcare is on the ballot,” said Chair Lisa Hernandez.
A second Trump presidency could be devastating for Black maternal health:
- Trump’s antiquated and disastrous anti-choice stance disproportionately affects Black women.
- Trump sabotaged Medicaid expansion, which is a lifeline for many Black mothers. Now he’s doubling down on his attacks, and suggesting to gut the program if reelected.
- In the first two years of Trump’s presidency, 300,000 Black Americans lost health insurance. He was one vote away from repealing the Affordable Care Act and his promises to “terminate” the ACA would rip insurance coverage from over 3 million Black Americans.
Meanwhile, President Biden and Vice President Harris are addressing Black maternal health care head on:
- President Biden and Vice President Harris are the only choice in this election who will fight to give women more freedoms – not fewer.
- President Biden bolstered the ACA, which requires insurers to cover pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care.
- Since President Biden and Vice President Harris took office, they have dedicated substantial funding to reduce maternal mortality.
- In 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid service launched the “Birthing-Friendly” tool, a new designation for hospitals that participate in prenatal improvement programs aimed at countering the 80% of preventable pregnancy-related deaths, which are especially high among Black Americans.
- In 2022, the Biden-Harris administration launched a maternal health hotline, a new service for expecting and new mothers experiencing mental health struggles. That same year, the White House hosted the first-ever cabinet meeting on maternal health and maternal health day of action.
###
