Kamala Harris Faces Criticism for Addressing High Maternal and Childbirth Mortality Rates in the US”
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
Vice President Kamala Harris engaged with the public via X (previously known as Twitter) on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, to discuss pressing issues surrounding women’s healthcare and childbirth in the United States. As part of her and President Biden’s reelection efforts, Harris is advocating for significant improvements in women’s healthcare services nationwide.
However, her online outreach was met with sharp criticism from some quarters, where individuals questioned her allocation of funds to international causes like Ukraine and Israel instead of investing more in the domestic health sector. Using the Vice President’s official social media account, Harris shared a video clip expressing her concerns over the maternal mortality rates in the United States, highlighting that they surpass those of other affluent nations.
She voiced a strong stance on the need for systemic changes, particularly in the support provided to women post-childbirth, especially those reliant on Medicaid. Harris recounted the situation at the beginning of their term, pointing out the inadequate postpartum care coverage under Medicaid, which was limited to just two months.
Taking a proactive approach, she issued a national challenge to extend this coverage to a full year. Harris expressed pride in the substantial progress made, with a total of 45 states responding to her call to action by extending Medicaid’s postpartum coverage to 12 months, a move she believes will have a significant impact on women’s health post-childbirth.
To reinforce her commitment to this cause, Harris captioned the video with a poignant message, shedding light on the unacceptable maternal mortality rates in the U.S. compared to other developed countries. She assured her audience that both she and President Biden are dedicated to ensuring that women across the nation have access to the necessary healthcare services.
Despite the Vice President’s efforts to highlight the advancements in women’s healthcare, the online backlash over the distribution of funds underscores the complex balance between domestic priorities and international responsibilities.
The critique reflects a broader public debate about how government resources are allocated, especially in areas as critical as healthcare, which directly impacts the well-being of citizens. As the conversation unfolds, it remains to be seen how these concerns will be addressed and what further steps the administration will take to bolster women’s healthcare in the face of ongoing challenges.
