
(CNSNews.com) – The maternal mortality rate for women rose in 2021 – 32.9 deaths for every 100,000 live births, compared to 23.8 in 2020 and 20.1 in 2019, according to newly released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The U.S. maternal mortality rate is still well above that of 12 other developed countries, according to The Commonwealth Fund, The Hill reports.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre placed the blame squarely on Republicans.
“Look, the data that came out today show for far too long pregnant and postpartum women have gotten the short — have been short-shifted here, which is exactly why the president and congressional Democrats are working to improve their access to healthcare, to lower healthcare cost, and to significantly increase investments in improving maternal health,” the press secretary said Thursday.
“But meanwhile, what we’re seeing from the other side, what we’re seeing from Republicans, are doing the — they’re doing the complete opposite, which is consistent and on brand for them: working to gut healthcare for Americans, repeal Affordable Care Act, and make deep cuts to Medicaid, which is the last thing we should do, given that 40 percent of women have Medicaid coverage at the time of delivery,” she said.
“It is incomprehensible, and it is incredibly dangerous what we’re seeing from our Republicans colleagues in Congress,” Jean-Pierre said.
“The most powerful country in the world should not be accepting this as a reality. This is a crisis, and we are taking action. The president and the vice president will continue this fight to ensure pregnant and postpartum women and all Americans have the care they need to stay healthy, and that’s the commitment that you’ll see from this president,” she said.