This April marks the 8th annual Medicaid Awareness Month. This year, the commemoration is more crucial than ever. Medicaid gives people access to essential health care and supports when they need it most, but enormous Republican-proposed cuts would jeopardize the health of over 70 million people, including children, pregnant people, older adults, people with disabilities and people with low incomes. Throughout April, the National Partnership for Women & Families will be highlighting the importance of Medicaid in the lives of our staff and their loved ones, proudly proclaiming Medicaid Matters. Below, we highlight our colleague Natasha’s story.
After working at an organization for over 10 years, I was unexpectedly let go from my position. This left me not only unemployed but also uninsured. I was shocked and nervous because I recently found out I was pregnant. Since I was over the age of 35, I was considered a “geriatric pregnancy.” Pregnancy in advanced maternal age is considered a high-risk pregnancy and comes with an increased risk of premature birth, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes, among other things. Given my health status, I knew it was important to remain insured after losing my employer-sponsored healthcare coverage, so I enrolled in Medicaid.
Being recently unemployed, I was very thankful to be able to receive my health insurance through Medicaid to get the maternal health care I needed. My provider, Dr. A, was amazing and went the extra mile to ensure I had a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery. During my first trimester, I was diagnosed with Oligohydramnios, a condition characterized by low amniotic fluid, which can cause a lot of other complications if left untreated. Yet, because I received my health insurance through Medicaid, I was able to receive the treatment and tests I needed without having to worry about cost. Medicaid allowed me to see the necessary doctors as frequently as needed to navigate my high-risk pregnancy. I eventually gave birth to a healthy baby, who is now 12 years old and thriving.
Medicaid is vital for the health of Black moms and babies. Medicaid finances an estimated 40 percent of all births nationwide and over 64 percent of births to Black moms. Black women are currently over 3.5 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Cuts to Medicaid threaten the health of Black moms nationwide as critical maternal health benefits are on the chopping block. Protecting Medicaid is a maternal health equity issue.
Natasha is one of many Black mamas sharing their story this week to deepen the national conversation about Black maternal health in the United States. Black Maternal Health Week takes place every year from April 11–17 and is championed by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance. The week-long campaign raises awareness of Black maternal health, activism, and community-building so all Black mamas have the rights, respect, and resources to thrive before, during, and after pregnancy.
Read more from the Medicaid Matters series:
