ARK MATERNAL MORTALITY- According to data released by Every Mother Counts, a nonprofit that works to improve access to maternity care: the state of Arkansas has some of the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation. Data reveals there are about 45-pregnancy related deaths per 100,000 births. During an appearance over the weekend on KARK TV’s program “Capitol View”, Dr. Nirvana Manning, chair of UAMS Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, spoke about Arkansas’ maternal mortality rate and explained some of causes for its high rate.
“(Maternal healthcare) access is hard, we have so many corners of our state that have little to no access to care at all,” Manning said.
Dr. Manning said the recent closure of treatment centers during the pandemic along with the rural nature of the state cause access gaps in maternal care.
“Patients say from Magnolia, that need to go get care, it’s an hour and-a-half drive to be able to get that,” Manning explained. “And during your pregnancy as we all know it’s several visits you’ve got to get to be able to get that.”
Other contributing factors include many Arkansans have pre-existing health conditions including obesity, diabetes and other conditions that can complicate a pregnancy. Also a little under 50% of births in Arkansas are covered by Medicaid but post-partum care is only covered for two months yet healthcare experts say at least one –year of adequate post-partum care is needed. A bill to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage from two months to a full year was presented during last legislative session but it failed to receive enough votes to pass.
