Government and Politics
April 12, 2024
Springfield, IL — During Black Maternal Health Week, Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez highlights Democratic efforts to address the maternal mortality crisis and save lives. In Illinois, Black women are currently about three times as likely to experience a pregnancy-related death as White women, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. While Republicans have ignored this crisis and continue to strip away reproductive freedom across the nation, Illinois Democrats have made it a priority to confront and address how gaps in the health care system negatively impact maternal morbidity and mortality for women of color.
“In Illinois and across the country, Black women have too long faced devastating barriers to accessible maternal care, leading to disproportionately higher pregnancy-related complications and mortality rates. While the Biden-Harris Administration and Illinois Democrats are 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 Illinoisans will head to the polls knowing that healthcare is on the ballot,” said Chair Lisa Hernandez.
A second Trump presidency could be devastating for Black maternal health:
Meanwhile, President Biden and Vice President Harris are addressing Black maternal health care head on: