The upcoming date of November 4th, 2024, symbolizes a momentous time as it marks the forthcoming second presidential debate between the luminous former President Trump and the current Vice President Harris. Instead of watching this spectacle with delight, many are consumed by a sense of concern. The importance of this election, especially for the health of our citizens, cannot be understated.
A recent survey conducted on a national level by the Black Women in America, under the organization of the Highland Project and Brilliant Corners Research and Strategies, highlighted this concern. A staggering 71 percent of those surveyed labeled this election as the most significant in their lifetime, a statement hard to ignore. The issues considered most pressing were not only democracy and personal autonomy but also the dire state of healthcare.
Racism and discrimination, deeply embedded in society, top the list of these issues, with 94 percent of black women attesting to feeling their impact. Other concerns include criminal justice reform, safeguarding Social Security and Medicare, combating inflation, and controlling the cost of goods and services, but the focus continuously gravitates towards the state of healthcare.
The healthcare system’s past failures have weighed heavily on the community. The African-American maternal health crisis is an ongoing issue, where expectant African-American mothers face a mortality risk three times higher than that of white women, a distressing statistic from the CDC. The underlying causes range from lack of quality healthcare, prevalent chronic conditions, structural racism, and thinly veiled bias.
The optimism for the Harris administration’s plans to prioritize African-American women’s wellness and address issues like the shockingly high maternal mortality rates among black women is unfortunately misplaced. The reality is that the focus should be less on empty promises and more on effective and concrete action.
The Biden–Harris administration’s past efforts to close the maternal health gap met lukewarm success. Plans to increase the size of the maternal healthcare workforce and launch a hotline for maternal mental health fell short, indicating that efforts targeting core issues might yield tangible results.
The unsettling Supreme Court case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in 2024 led to the repeal of Roe v. Wade, effectively eradicating federal abortion rights. The consequence of this decision was a nationwide panic concerning women’s body autonomy and the uncertain future that lay ahead.
Abortion and the ability to access contraception were brought under scrutiny with the blocking of the 2024 Right to Contraception Act, generating much debate. The focus on how the election outcome could impact the availability and accessibility of reproductive health care services intensified.
The Biden–Harris administration, despite expressing support for emergency abortion care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), only created more uncertainty. Their assertion that abortions are an acceptable solution for emergency medical conditions did nothing to assuage public skepticism.
The United States Supreme Court, despite overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022, managed to maintain access to mifepristone, a critical component of medication abortions. Their saving grace was in the combination of mifepristone with misoprostol for medical abortions. However, this progress was compromised by the foreseeable impact of a potential Trump administration.
If Trump is successful in the forthcoming election, a critical concern remains the potential disapproval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration towards the necessary drug combination for abortions, or even worse, issuing policies restricting access to medication abortions. In this regard, the influence of the administration ultimately sways the potential policy direction.
While the Harris administration might promise increased access to contraception following the overturning of Roe, this is easier said than done. A Trump administration could potentially exploit the situation and unravel Affordable Care Act policies that cover contraception, including emergency contraception.
The unfolding events closely mirror a tug-of-war where women’s rights and healthcare are the rope being pulled in opposite directions. The decisions made will not only engulf the immediate health landscape but also shape the path for future generations.
The upcoming election, thus, stands as a deciding factor amidst the teetering scales of healthcare and women’s rights. The complexities surrounding the issues of affordable healthcare, women’s rights, and racism hint at a turbulent road ahead. The spotlight will remain fixed on the forthcoming debate and election.
Regardless of the political antics and maneuverings, it is essential for the voting public to remain informed and vigilant. The power to pave the way for comprehensive and equitable healthcare access rests with them. It is they who will determine the direction of not just this election, but the collective future of our nation.