Mayes highlights Shapiro’s proposals for maternal health care

Rep. La'Tasha D. Mayes February 7, 2024 | 3:46 PM

HARRISBURG, Feb. 7 – Today, state Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, applauded Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposals to invest in maternal health care and reproductive health care, as well as menstrual health.

In his state budget proposal delivered Tuesday, Shapiro proposed $2.6 million to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, in addition to $3 million to provide menstrual products in schools.

“With maternal mortality at its highest rates since 1965 and Black women at a higher risk of dying from complications during child birth, we must address the maternal health care crisis to reduce racial disparities in health care, as well as combat Black maternal morbidity and mortality,” Mayes said. “Even healthy women, such as U.S. Olympic sprinter Tori Bowie who died in May 2023 from pre-eclampsia, are at risk. As such, we must ensure Black women and Black pregnant people have access to equitable health care so that we may systemically combat maternal morbidity and mortality.”

Mayes added that Shapiro’s proposal to invest $3 million to provide menstrual products in schools at no cost would ensure that students can continue their education without interruptions.

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