By As the 2024 election season draws near, Black women are emerging as a decisive voice, focusing heavily on healthcare reforms. With Vice President Kamala Harris seen as a pivotal figure in addressing critical health issues like maternal mortality and reproductive rights, Black women across the country are rallying behind her. With abortion rights under attack and Black maternal health in crisis, Harris’ policies offer hope for a system that has long failed to serve the community.
Maternal Health: A Crisis Black Women Can No Longer Ignore
Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications. The statistics are grim, and the stories are heartbreaking. Recent surveys, like one from Pew Research, highlight that 82% of Black women voters view Vice President Harris favorably. This represents a significant increase and speaks to her stance on reproductive rights and maternal health issues.
In states with restrictive abortion laws, Black women face disproportionately severe consequences. Cases like Amber Thurman’s—who tragically lost her life due to medical staff hesitating under Georgia’s restrictive “LIFE Act”—demonstrate the life-threatening impact of such laws.
What’s driving this support for Harris?
- Strong stance on reproductive rights
- Commitment to addressing the maternal mortality crisis
- Clear advocacy for the extension of postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months
It’s not just about rhetoric; it’s about life and death.
The Role of Government in Healthcare Reform
Harris has also made significant strides in advocating for maternal health as part of the Build Back Better Act. The legislation, passed by the House in 2021, includes provisions designed to address Black maternal mortality by investing over $3 billion in healthcare reforms. Key elements of this initiative include:
- Expanding the perinatal workforce
- Improving maternal health data collection
- Addressing social determinants of health
One critical aspect of this plan is the extension of postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months. Research consistently shows that many maternal complications occur beyond the initial 60-day window, a period when current regulations leave many women without essential healthcare coverage.
The extension of Medicaid would offer protection to millions of Black women, ensuring continuous coverage during one of the most vulnerable times in a mother’s life.
The Silent Killer: High Blood Pressure and Diabetes in Black Communities
While reproductive health is central to the election, general healthcare issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes also demand attention. These conditions disproportionately affect Black women, with nearly 58% experiencing high blood pressure compared to around 41% of white and Hispanic women. The impact of systemic healthcare failures is visible in many families, like my own grandmother, Minnie.
Minnie has been battling high blood pressure and diabetes for over a decade. She has struggled with a healthcare system that often dismisses her concerns. Doctors frequently rush through appointments, prescribing medications without fully understanding her unique needs. This is an all-too-common experience for Black women, contributing to low adherence to treatment plans and worse health outcomes.
- 58% of Black women have high blood pressure
- Twice the death rate from high blood pressure-related causes compared to white women
- 12.1% of Black Americans live with diabetes, according to the CDC
Addressing these healthcare disparities is not just about fixing the system; it’s about rebuilding trust between Black communities and healthcare providers.
Can Healthcare Be Saved in This Election Cycle?
Vice President Harris’ advocacy is giving many Black women hope, but the road to healthcare reform is steep. With maternal mortality and reproductive rights at the forefront, alongside pressing issues like hypertension and diabetes, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The support for Harris shows that Black women are done being ignored, and they are using this election cycle to demand the healthcare reforms they deserve.