AUSTIN, Texas – Today, the Texas Democratic Party hosted a virtual press call to uplift Black Women’s Maternal Health Week. In Texas and across the country, Black women have long faced devastating barriers to accessible maternal care – leading to disproportionately higher pregnancy-related complications and mortality rates.

WATCH HERE

“Nearly 68% of OBGYNs say the overturning of Roe has worsened their ability to manage pregnancy-related emergencies. 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 strip millions of affordable healthcare – with or without Congress. This November the stakes could not be higher, and Texans will head to the polls knowing that healthcare justice is on the ballot,” said Texas Democratic Party Vice Chair Shay Wyrick-Cathey.

“It's unfortunate that many women in Texas happen to make not enough money to buy private insurance, or alternatively too much money – sometimes a few dollars over what is necessary for them to qualify for Medicaid. We [Texas Democrats] want to be able to have Medicaid available for all women and women of color – particularly Black women who have suffered the most from maternal problems during the childbirth process. We want to expand Medicaid within Texas and I am so grateful that we have women, advocates and friends within this state who know the importance of postnatal and prenatal care – and who are fighting with us to help us to get this done.” said Dean Senfronia Thompson, Texas State Representative.

“Factors like the lack of Medicaid expansion exacerbate this [Black maternal morbidity rates] disparity by limiting access to timely and appropriate medical interventions and increasing the likelihood of adverse outcomes during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. But that's just one factor of this deadly problem growing rampant in our communities. The Texas Maternal Mortality Rate and Morbidity Review Committee must provide up-to-date data on these mortality trends so we can better address the causes and effects urgently and effectively,” said Vice Chair Rhetta Bowers, Texas State Representative.

“There’s an urgent need to address racial disparities in maternal health outcomes and to implement targeted strategies to improve maternal care and support for Black women in Texas – and that includes overturning the state’s abortion ban SB 8 – which has thwarted our reproductive healthcare system into chaos,” said Vice Chair Sheryl Cole, Texas State Representative. “We cannot continue to roll back our reproductive rights and expect better healthcare outcomes for Black women or all women for that matter.”

“We realized that with all the initiatives and all the different legislation that is passed or not passed –  that we have to continue to move as Black women on the ground, and groups like The Afiya Center have been leading grassroots efforts in Texas to make sure that Black women are not only heard but represented,” said Joneatha Hunter, Black Maternal Health Advocate.

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