As time and technology continue to advance, many people would assume that maternal care and pregnancy risks would decrease, but in recent years, the maternal mortality rate is on the rise within the United States, revealing another disparity in healthcare. The mortality value is measured by causes that are potentially aggravated by the pregnancy, with exclusion of accidental or incidental causes, making the U.S. lead with 24 deaths per 100,000 live births (CommonWealth Fund, 2022). Though seemingly low, this number is more than three times the rate among 10 other observed countries. Many of these risk factors, like blood clots, high blood pressure, and chronic health conditions, can make for a deadly experience during pregnancy.
In order to mitigate many of these preventable deaths, the U.S. should focus on providing more postpartum support along with general coverage. Since the U.S. does not provide universal healthcare, that leaves 7.9 million women of reproductive age uninsured (ASPE, 2022), as proper coverage remains out of reach for many Americans, frequently due to cost and coverage limitations. Even then, there is another issue to address as the vulnerable populations affected are disproportionately Black. Though systemic barriers prevent proper care, the extension of the Medicaid coverage from the current 60 days postpartum to one year postpartum under the Biden administration would allow for adequate coverage beyond pregnancy. Additionally, this access to care would make for prevention and management of chronic conditions such as obesity, heart disease, and etc. In the long run, it would remain less costly for affected communities and create better health outcomes among pregnant individuals.
Another proposed method that can be taken into consideration is the diversification of these perinatal, or weeks immediately before and after birth, teams(Biden Administration, 2022). Whether that means decreasing the wage gap, providing more incentives to join the healthcare workforce, or increasing the number of midwives, doulas, or nurses; women-centered care can positively impact the current state of maternal health. By bridging the gaps in the healthcare that maternity patients have access to, we can ultimately work towards good health outcomes and minimize existing health disparities for current and future generations.
Featured Image Source: Subbotina Anna
