Kamala Harris Maps Plan to Reduce High U.S. Maternal Mortality (1)

Vice President Kamala Harris Tuesday announced a plan to reduce the country’s alarmingly high maternal mortality rate by improving pregnancy and postpartum care nationwide.

The strategy includes calling for states to extend postpartum coverage under Medicaid from 2 to 12 months and designating “birthing-friendly” hospitals.

“Maternal mortality and morbidity is a serious crisis and one that endangers both public health and economic growth,” Harris said at a White House event.

Maternal mortality in the U.S. has been on the rise in recent years — with the rate of deaths more than double that of other rich nations like France, Canada and the United Kingdom. Black and Indigenous women are ...