You're Probably Getting Screwed by Lack of Maternal Healthcare

In America, we pride ourselves in being first, like the fact that we are the wealthiest nation in the world. But one area that we aren’t doing that well is maternal mortality.

As of 2018, there were 17 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births in the U.S. — a ratio more than double that of most other high-income countries.

And within the United States, there’s a big disparity. Women in states with abortion bans are nearly three times more likely to die during pregnancy, childbirth or soon after giving birth.

COURIER @CourierNewsroom

In America we pride ourselves on being first, but there are more than a few areas we’re far from it. @JDScholten breaks down one of those areas in this week’s edition of You’re Probably Getting Screwed:

6:16 PM ∙ Feb 10, 2023

Arkansas, Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana and Mississippi are the states with the highest maternal mortality, each with more than 30 deaths per 100,000 live births. Each of these states have abortion bans that took effect in the immediate aftermath of the Supreme Court eliminating a federal right to the procedure.

And a study from the University of Colorado found that a nationwide federal abortion ban could make the maternal death rate increase by 24%.

Currently, there are stark racial disparities, with Black and Native American women having higher rates of pregnancy-related death compared to White women.

The CDC says that 84% of pregnancy-related deaths were determined to be preventable, and recommends that there be increased access to postpartum health coverage.

The good news is that 26 states and Washington, D.C. have already expanded their Medicaid postpartum coverage from 60 days to one year.

And some House Democrats are pushing for a package of maternal health bills, known as the Momnibus, to be included in Congress' end-of-year spending package.

Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) told reporters that Democrats are "incredibly hopeful" that Congress will approve funding to address maternal health, but added that if it doesn't, "we [will] continue to see moms die."

Share YOU'RE PROBABLY GETTING SCREWED

YOU’RE PROBABLY (ALSO) GETTING SCREWED BY:

BUYBACKS

Not long after Mark Zuckerberg said Meta was laying off 13% of employees as the company was working to “become a leaner and more efficient company” Meta announces $40 billion stock buyback…

WAGE THEFT

A new analysis by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) estimates that misclassified construction workers lose out on as much as $16,729 per year in income and job benefits compared with what they would have earned as employees.

WAR ON SNAP

In Iowa, 39 Republican House members sponsored a Bill that would severely restrict the food items Iowans could purchase on SNAP. No meat, butter, flour, herbs, spices, frozen prepared foods, canned fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, bottled water, condiments, and on and on.

CORPORATIONS

BEFORE YOU GO

Before you go, I need two things from you: 1) if you like something, please share it on social media or the next time you have coffee with a friend. 2) Ideas, if you have any ideas for future newsletter content please comment below. Thank you.

Standing Tall for All,

J.D. Scholten