Women's Healthcare in Serious Trouble
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A Good Day To Advocate for Better Healthcare
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HIV Cure
A German man's HIV has likely been cured after undergoing a stem cell transplant in a first-of-its-kind case, scientists announced on Thursday ahead of next week's International AIDS Conference in Munich, Germany.
Why it matters: The 60-year-old has become only the seventh person to be considered cured of HIV — which affects an estimated 39 million people worldwide, including some 1.2 million people in the U.S.
What scientists found "extremely surprising" in this case was the man appeared to be cured "even though the stem cell donor was not immune to the HIV virus," said HIV expert Christian Gaebler, of the Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, in a statement Thursday.(Axios)
Women’s Health - Varies Dramatically By State
A new Commonwealth Fund scorecard comparing state health system performance on women’s health and reproductive care reveals significant disparities across the U.S. In particular, the researchers find wide gaps between geographic regions and between racial and ethnic groups in deaths among women of reproductive age and in access to essential health services.
The 2024 State Scorecard on Women’s Health and Reproductive Care is the Fund’s first comprehensive examination of women’s health care in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, based on the latest available data. Among the key findings:
States with abortion restrictions have fewer maternity care providers.
Rates of maternal deaths are highest in the Mississippi Delta region, which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Regional disparities in deaths of women of reproductive age are pronounced, with the highest death rates seen in the Southeast.
The report raises concerns over the state of women’s health care and the ripple effects of the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Its findings suggest that disparities could widen, with impacts experienced most acutely by women of color and women with low income who live in states that have restricted access to comprehensive reproductive care.
Below you can see how the states vary. Darker orange is worse healthcare, lighter is better.
Massachusetts, Vermont, and Rhode Island top the rankings for the 2024 State Scorecard on Women’s Health and Reproductive Care, which is based on 32 measures of health care access, quality, and health outcomes. The lowest performers were Mississippi, Texas, Nevada, and Oklahoma.
Deaths from all causes among women of reproductive age — 15 to 44 — were highest in southeastern states. Causes of death include pregnancy and other preventable causes such as substance use, COVID-19, and treatable chronic conditions.
The highest maternal death rates were in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Vermont, California, and Connecticut had the lowest rates. Nationally, rates were highest for Black and American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) women.
Mental health conditions are the most frequently reported cause of preventable pregnancy-related death, including deaths by suicide and overdoses related to substance use disorders. States that screened for postpartum depression at the highest rates also had lowest rates of postpartum depression.
Women’s mortality aged 15-44 is depicted below by state. Poor healthcare for women and high mortality.
Hard to See the OB/Gyn
The same report found that the chances that a woman can see a doctor while pregnant — or during a time when she might become pregnant — have fallen significantly since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, They are not only less likely to be able to afford a doctor’s appointment; they’re less likely to be able to find an OB/GYN in their area. Part of the issue we reported previously is tht miscarriages occur most often in the first 12 weeks and doctors don’t want to be anywhere near a miscarriage for fear of being prosecuted for providing an abortion.
SUMMARY
Enough is enough. This is something that the political system created and something that it can fix. Let’s start by demanding that the Women’s Health Protection Act be passed to restore the right to an abortion.
ACTION
Let’s let our Member of Congress and Senators know the abysmal state of healthcare for so many women in America and that they can start to do something about it by passing the Women’s Health Protection Act (H.R. 12/S. 701). You can reach them here, https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials. You can use and modify the script below if you like.
Or use RESISTBOT via [Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER] or by texting SIGN PSPQIV to 50409 on your cell phone to send that message to your Senators.
“I am your constituent and I want you to know that the Commonwealth Fund just released an assessment of women’s healthcare in the US. Most Republican States are worried about political optics than saving women’s lives. Haven’t you had enough of women left in the parking lot getting sepsis and getting close enough to leaving this world so a doctor will consider treating her? I want you to get busy and pass the Women’s Health Protection Act. Think about discharge petitions, think about any technique necessary to get this up for a vote. This is critical for me and I need you to act and start saving women’s lives. Their lives matter and I want you to act with a sense of urgency to see this through. Thank you.”
Resources
Find My Elected Officials
Contact State and Federal Representatives - phone and email
Healthcare Advocacy (Us) Website
Our Newsletter resources including reproductive healthcare - Healthcare Advocacy Reading List
Important Healthcare Resources
League of Women Voters Healthcare Reform Toolkit
Organizations to Contact
National Nurses United Medicare4All
Physicians for a National Health Program
One Payer States
Healthcare Now
Reproductive Health
NARAL - Pro Choice America
Charley. chatbot abortion resource - make sure to use a secure incognito browser if you live in a state that has banned abortion
Planned Parenthood
Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline has references about where to procure abortion medications. They also assist women in the process of self managed abortion or miscarriage by phone or text and will respond in an hour. Details and hours of operation at their website.
United State of Women Reproductive health page (bottom of the page) has important resources such as medical support, access to Telehealth, prescriptions by mail, and legal support references.
Practice careful communications - The Digital Defense Fund has a number of tips to keep texts, calls, and internet use private. Here is their site.
If you need financial help with an abortion try abortionfunds.org
Claims Denials and Appeals & What to Do
Appeal a Healthcare Decision
Appeal/Negotiate a Hospital Bill
Disinformation Management
Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency
Save Democracy
Chop Wood, Carry Water by Jessica Cravens
RESISTBOT
Link to the RESISTBOT site to learn more
Link to Chop Wood, Carry Water RESISTBOT write up
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Done! ✅ Thanks for this info!