WTTW Chicago Tonight: Advocates Hope New Illinois Law Helps Lower Maternal Mortality Rate for Black Women

Our Leader in Residence Jeanine Valrie Logan was invited to speak on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight alongside Sen. Lakesia Collins (D-Chicago).
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Black women have the highest maternal mortality rate in the U.S.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women are two-and-a-half times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than White women.

A new state law aims to remedy that by expanding insurance coverage during and after pregnancy.

Last Monday, Gov. J.B. Prtizker signed the Birth Equity Act that will require Illinois-based health insurance to cover abortion care without co-pays and deductibles, including coverage of abortion medications. And it will cover services such as doulas, lactation consultants and midwives.

“This bill was about equity. It was about saving lives and righting the wrongs of history of the high numbers of African American who were dying at the table, or their babies were dying, or families choosing who to live during a moment you should feel safe,” said state Sen. Lakesia Collins (D-Chicago).

In addition to providing coverage during pregnancy, this bill also focuses on supporting further medical issues parents might face after pregnancy.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE