Maternal health is in need of improvements, and too many deaths have occurred because of the lack of attention and focus put towards supporting mothers. There has also been too much lenience in the medical field when it comes to taking all mothers seriously on any issue regardless of class or race. Colorado Representative Diana Degette is very aware and concerned about this and is taking steps towards real improvement with the Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthotization Act of 2023. This bill has officially been passed by the U.S House of Representatives.
Degette is an American lawyer and democratic politician based in the district of Denver who wants to see a change for all women who are soon to be mothers and is making sure there are further steps taken so mothers are safe both throughout and at the end of their pregnancy. Degette has experience as a Colorado 1st district representative since 1997, ands she clearly sees and understands the struggles and lack of importance put towards woman’s health, especially maternal health.
The importance, or lack thereof, given when it comes to maternal health shows through the statistics: “80% of maternal deaths are preventable, and these deaths disproportionately impact women and families of color,” states Degette. Sadly, the medical and legal field has failed women of color time and time again. For years, women of color weren’t taken seriously during their pregnancy or even delivery. For a while it was ignorantly believed that women of color could tolerate a drastic amount of pain compared to white women. This led doctors to carelessly ignore any complaints during labor leading to hundreds of deaths that could have been avoided if they treated these women with proper medical attention. Although things have improved drastically when it comes to equal treatment when receiving medical attention, issues of this degree linger on, leaving behind stains of blood and grief on families unfortunate to receive the ill beliefs left behind.
The Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthotization Act of 2023 is going to “disseminate best practices for preventing maternal mortality and morbidity to hospitals, professional societies, and perinatal quality” and all of this will be available for those using public health care. Which is very essential to make a change for all women’s maternal health.
