Dear John,

Much needed relief to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is coming, including support for essential reproductive health care.

The recently passed American Rescue Plan lets states extend Medicaid eligibility for postpartum people, which could help reduce the high rate of pregnancy-related deaths.

Black and Native American women are two to three times more likely than white women to die within a year of childbirth. They also have inequitable access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion, affordable contraception, and high-quality pre- and post-natal care.

I spoke to The 19th about how expanded Medicaid eligibility is an important first step in addressing the maternal mortality crisis, but let me be clear—it is just a first step—we have much more work ahead of us.

We are disappointed the bill doesn’t require states to provide this postpartum converge, merely leaving it as an option. And we will continue to fight for policies that don’t make access to care dependent on your zip code.

We’re keeping the pressure on our lawmakers to take the bold actions needed to expand access to health care for all people.

You can read my full statement about the American Rescue Plan here.

Onward,

Dr. Jamila Perritt
President & CEO