BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — In Louisiana, four black mothers die for every white mother and two black babies die for every one white baby. The states maternal mortality rate exceeds the national average ranking 47th out of 50 states according to the LDH.
“Louisiana has the highest maternal mortality rate, especially in African American women, as well as any women of color,” said Tamika Thomas-Magee, Director of Clinical Services and Family Nurse Practitioner.
Thomas-Magee says that disparity has increased even more now since the overturn of Rowe v. Wade. Planned Parenthood leaders are aiming to change the maternal mortality rate in Louisiana and they’re offering pregnancy related programs to alter those disparities. Thomas-Magee says they’ll be offering resources like…
“Pregnancy dating ultrasounds, which are noninvasive sonograms to determine how far along the pregnancy is. We also are now taking care of patients who have early pregnancy loss or symptoms of early pregnancy loss,” said Thomas-Magee.
Planned Parenthood providers are also providing patients with legal abortion resources, while offering them care after. Thomas-Magee says these efforts will help women avoid medical discrimination and financial incapabilities.
“We accept all Medicaid plans, as well as commercial insurance, and private insurance. We try to make our fees feasible for people who pay out of pocket,” said Thomas-Magee.
Planned Parenthood leaders say they will also be able to accommodate patients who aren’t able to pay out of pocket.