Voters Overwhelmingly Support Expanding Access to Pregnancy-Related Healthcare
By Bella Kumar
Around 800 people die from pregnancy-related causes in the United States each year. 13 percent of pregnancy-related deaths worldwide are estimated to be the result of poorly performed abortions. Since 2019, domestic maternal mortality has increased by nearly 20 percent. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Black pregnant people in the United States are nearly three times more likely to die during pregnancy, childbirth, and the period following childbirth than are white pregnant people. Vice President Kamala Harris has been a champion on the issue of Black maternal mortality — leading a discussion during Black Maternal Health Week last spring.
Continued restrictions on abortion and reproductive healthcare are resulting in even steeper maternal mortality rates. With abortion access and reproductive rights under fire, maternal mortality has been an increasing concern to healthcare providers while going unnoticed by voters.
New polling from Data for Progress finds a majority of voters are either misinformed or not aware of any change in the rate of women dying from pregnancy- or childbirth-related causes. Thirty-five percent of voters report that they do not know about these changes, including Democrats at 33 percent, Independents at 40 percent, and Republicans at 33 percent.
Even so, 54 percent of voters do believe that the maternal mortality rate in the U.S. is higher among Black and Native American women compared to white women, including Democrats at 67 percent, Independents at 58 percent, and Republicans at 39 percent.
Ending the devastating number of maternal mortality victims relies on the expansion of healthcare during and after pregnancy. This expansion has overwhelming support from voters by a +79-point margin. This includes Democrats by a +90-point margin, Independents by a +78-point margin, and Republicans by a +67-point margin.
A majority of voters support every aspect of the plan that some lawmakers in Congress are considering to improve and expand access to healthcare for pregnant people. Among voters:
71 percent support extending Medicaid postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months
82 percent support creating a "birthing-friendly" designation for hospitals that are committed to improving care for those who are pregnant or are new parents
84 percent support improving data collection and maternal health research to better understand why people have issues during pregnancy and after childbirth
84 percent support establishing health centers to coordinate care for individuals before, during, and following birth
85 percent support expanding the number of providers trained in maternal health
We also find the majority of voters support the prioritization of maternal care after learning that maternal mortality rates in the U.S. are higher than any other developed nation. Voters support a proposed plan to improve and expand access to healthcare during and after pregnancy by a +59-point margin, including Democrats by a +82-point margin, Independents by a +54-point margin, and Republicans by a +37-point margin.
Voters strongly support expanding access to pregnancy-related healthcare. It is critical that we create safe, inclusive spaces for pregnant people to create happy and healthy lives for themselves and their children. Congress should put forward its plan to ensure every pregnant person has equal and comprehensive access to reproductive healthcare.
Note: While this blog and survey uses largely gendered language to refer to people who are pregnant or give birth, we acknowledge that not all child bearers are women or identify with the terms “mother” or “maternal.” We recognize and appreciate every person that gives birth, regardless of their gender identity.
Bella Kumar is a communications intern at Data for Progress.