Biden-Harris Answering Black Maternal Health Crisis. Trump Will Make It Much Worse.
MADISON, Wis. — Today, during the start of Black Maternal Health Week, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Vice Chair Felesia Martin released the following statement:
“In Wisconsin 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. While the Biden-Harris Administration is 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 Wisconsinites will head to the polls knowing that healthcare is on the ballot.”
A second Trump presidency could be devastating for Black maternal health:
- If reelected, Trump would ban abortion nationwide—with or without Congress’ help.
- Trump wants to slash funding for Medicare and he sabotaged Medicaid expansion, which is significantly tied to a decrease in Black maternal mortality. Now he’s doubling down on his attacks, pledging 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 promises to “terminate” the ACA if reelected, which 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 care, childbirth, and newborn care.
- Since President Biden and Vice President Harris took office, funding to reduce maternal mortality increased by $190 million.
- 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 also hosted the first-ever cabinet meeting on maternal health and maternal health day of action.
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