Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Viewpoints: Maryland Closer To Heath Care Equity; Tennessee Expands Coverage For Postpartum Women
The Baltimore Sun: A Three-Pronged Approach To Widening Health Care Access In Maryland
At a recent White House event, President Joe Biden joined his predecessor, Barack Obama, to commemorate the 12th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act ’s passage. So much has changed for the better thanks to the ACA: The country’s uninsured rate has dropped dramatically (by half in Maryland), people no longer struggle to get coverage due to preexisting medical conditions, and millions of Americans receive help paying their insurance premiums. But there’s still work to be done to get everybody covered and to ensure they have access to the care they need. (Vincent DeMarco, 4/21)
The Tennessean: Tennessee Has Reached A Turning Point In Maternal Mortality Crisis
As of April 1, pregnant people in Tennessee will have access to Medicaid coverage for a full year postpartum. In line with Gov. Bill Lee’s original proposal, the state has extended this coverage from two months to twelve and has expanded the benefits to cover oral health care — a critical piece of the overall puzzle to ensure healthy pregnancy and maternal outcomes. April is Minority Health Month, making right now an opportune time for all of us to recognize this progress and continue seeking changes in our state and nationwide to improve access to necessary health care. (Steven J. Brady, Shawn Massey and Daphne Ferguson-Young, 4/21)
Los Angeles Times: The List Of Foods Banned During Pregnancy Is Absurd
The lists of banned foods for pregnant women is absurd, without a doubt designed by malpractice attorneys making sure no risk, however small, goes unstipulated. No OB has ever been sued for recommending a woman with child follow strict dietary guidelines that forbid almost every soft cheese worth eating, including feta, blue and brie (listeria risk); deli meats, a category I assume contains every species of corned and smoked brisket (more listeria risk); and organic health food store staples such as fresh-squeezed juice and raw alfalfa sprouts (bacteria risk). (Jim Sollisch, 4/22)
Miami Herald: Reproductive Justice Goes Hand In Hand With Securing Better Healthcare For People Of Color
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a 15-week abortion ban into law in Florida last week. Oklahoma recently made it a felony to perform an abortion. More than half the states in America now have some type of abortion ban. These sanctions will create a chilling effect that will reduce the health, well-being and quality of life of women in our country — and more so for women of color and low-income people. As a participant in YWCA’s Stand Against Racism Challenge, I am pleased that this week’s theme is reproductive justice — which is more than simply reproductive rights. (Monica Skoko Rodriguez, 4/21)
