In crisis, health disparities, like black maternal health, yawn even wider

As the only black woman member of Kentucky’s state legislature and single mother of two, I know the importance of representing all of my constituents and leaving no one behind. Far too often in Frankfort, bills are passed and signed into law that will actually harm children who look like mine, hurt moms like me who know what it’s like to live paycheck-to-paycheck or no check-to-no-check, or harm people of color who are ignored and left behind.

In times of crisis like the coronavirus pandemic we now face, many of the greatest challenges our communities face to access health care will be exacerbated, especially for the women of color who already experience some of the harshest conditions through pregnancy and birth.

Racial disparities in pregnancy and maternal health outcomes are a national crisis across the country, but are especially concerning in Kentucky, where half of all counties are rural. Rural parts of the country are often severely lacking in life-saving access to sexual and reproductive health care, leading to worsened pregnancy and maternal health outcomes. Research has shown that states and regions in the US where abortion care is more restricted and inaccessible have disproportionately high maternal mortality rates. With a pandemic upon us that’s certain to push critical reproductive health care out of reach for many communities, it’s almost certain that rural communities will be hit the hardest.

That’s why, with Black Maternal Health Week next week, I’m committed to addressing the deep racial disparities in maternal and infant health in my home state and promoting sexual, reproductive, and maternal health for black women and girls, who are forced to navigate the greatest barriers to health care in Kentucky.

The United States currently has the highest maternal death rates in the industrialized world. Maternal death rates in the U.S. and Kentucky are significantly higher for black women, who are four times more likely to die from pregnancy and birth-related causes than white women. As experts continue to research the impact of the pandemic on pregnant folks and access to vitally important sexual and reproductive health care, these already troubling conditions could soon worsen.

The Maternal CARE Act, my bill to address racial disparities in maternal and infant mortality rates, is just one step I’ve taken to bridge these alarming disparities. HB 138 will require that we track maternal deaths, provide Medicare reimbursement for qualified doula care, and mandate implicit bias training for perinatal medical professionals.

Predictably enough, in Kentucky’s predominantly white, male, conservative legislature, self-identified “pro-life” lawmakers who claim to care about mothers and families have introduced even more dangerous, restrictive abortion laws this legislative session. Anti-abortion lawmakers’ efforts to restrict reproductive health access have been proven to worsen pregnancy and maternal health outcomes, especially for women of color and those struggling financially.

From improving sexual health education in Kentucky’s schools, to expanding access to basic child care products, to addressing maternal health disparities, my goal as a lawmaker is to draw on my lived experiences, leave no one in my community behind, and lead my community through crises like the one we face today. But I can’t do it alone. I know that supporting our communities requires all of us across Kentucky to rise up, and organize for legislative change to support reproductive health equity and racial justice.

An agenda of health and wellness for pregnant folks who choose to have a baby, mothers, and families across Kentucky should not be driven by politics. Those who share my belief that all Kentuckians should be able to live safe, healthy and autonomous lives must make their voices heard and call on their representatives to join me. You can find out who your State Representative is by visiting www.legislature.ky.gov or by calling (800) 372-7181.

State Representative Attica Scott serves Kentucky House District 41. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @atticascott4ky.