AT A GLANCE
• James Talarico released a maternal health plan on Mother’s Day focused on pregnant and postpartum women.
• The proposal addresses Black maternal mortality, paid maternity leave, Medicaid coverage and maternal care deserts.
• Black women are three times more likely to die from childbirth or postpartum complications.
• Texas State Rep. Toni Rose, who passed HB 12 to extend postpartum Medicaid and CHIP coverage, is backing the plan.
Talarico Releases Maternal Health Plan On Mother’s Day
James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Texas, unveiled a new policy plan on Mother’s Day aimed at addressing the maternal mortality crisis and the disproportionate toll it has taken on Black women.
The plan focuses on expanding support for pregnant and postpartum women through nationwide paid maternity leave, improved maternal health data collection, stronger provider training and more investment in maternal health research.
“I’m proud to announce our comprehensive plan to tackle the maternal mortality crisis, an issue that has disproportionately impacted Black women in Texas and across the country for far too long,” said Talarico, a Texas state representative seeking to flip a U.S. Senate seat in Texas for Democrats for the first time in more than 30 years.
Black Women Face Higher Risks During And After Childbirth
The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among wealthy nations, and Black women are three times more likely to die from childbirth or postpartum complications.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the maternal mortality rate has decreased in recent years for white, Hispanic and Asian women, while it has increased for Black women.
Also Read: Once a Luxury for Moms, Doula Care is Going Mainstream
The Black maternal health crisis has received more national attention following the deaths of Black women during or after childbirth, especially in states where reproductive access has been restricted since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson decision overturned Roe v. Wade.
What Talarico’s Plan Would Do
Talarico’s proposal would guarantee new mothers time off through nationwide paid maternity leave legislation. It would also improve maternal health data collection and provider training, while investing in maternal health research.
The plan would strengthen maternal mortality review committees in every state so officials can better understand why women are dying during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care.
Talarico said the goal is to make sure doctors have the skills needed to treat the patients most affected and to ensure policymakers are making decisions that better represent Black and brown communities.
The plan also includes extending Medicare to Americans of all ages, restoring Affordable Care Act tax credits and requiring states to extend Medicaid coverage for pregnant and postpartum women up to 12 months.
Talarico’s proposal would also expand federal grant programs to educate pregnant and postpartum women about health care options and connect them to resources.
Toni Rose Backs Talarico’s Maternal Health Proposal
Texas State Rep. Toni Rose, who successfully passed bipartisan legislation through HB 12 to extend Medicaid and CHIP postpartum coverage, is supporting Talarico’s plan.
“The maternal mortality crisis in Texas and across our nation is unacceptable, and Black women are bearing the heaviest burden,” Rose said. “I fought to pass House Bill 12 to expand care for new mothers because no woman should die bringing life into the world.”
Rose said Talarico understands the urgency of the issue and is prepared to carry the fight to Washington.
“Representative Talarico understands what’s at stake, and his plan shows he’s ready to take this fight to Washington. We need a champion in the U.S. Senate, and I’m proud to stand with him,” Rose said.
Talarico said he was “honored” to follow Rose’s footsteps and said he plans to “build on her trailblazing work in the U.S. Senate” if elected on Nov. 3.
Plan Targets Maternal Care Deserts
The proposal also seeks to end maternal care deserts by requiring insurance coverage for doula and midwife services, expanding telemedicine access and funding workforce development programs to recruit and retain maternal care providers.
That includes efforts to bring more providers from underserved communities into the maternal health workforce.
Talarico also wants to extend eligibility for the WIC program and expand the Healthy Start Program to support families with home visits, care coordination, parenting education and other services before, during and after pregnancy.
Black Voters Remain Key In Texas Senate Race
Talarico’s focus on Black maternal health comes as he works to build support among Black voters in Texas, which has the highest number of Black Americans of any state in the country.
Strong Black voter turnout is critical for Democrats trying to win statewide office in Texas, a state that has remained Republican dominated for decades.
In the March primary election, Talarico defeated U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a popular Democrat who had strong support from Black voters. Now, Talarico is working to bring those voters into his coalition ahead of the general election.
“In the Texas Legislature, I led the fight against racist redistricting maps and private school voucher scams rooted in school segregation. I secured major criminal justice reforms, banned reality TV policing, and passed legislation to lower the cost of childcare, housing, and prescription drugs,” Talarico said in a statement to theGrio.
But Talarico said the work is not finished.
“There’s so much more work to do,” he said. “For far too long, Black communities have been overlooked, undervalued, and taken for granted by both parties in this broken, corrupt political system. That’s why we’re centering issues like maternal health in this campaign.”
