Minnesota lawmakers are back at work for a new legislative session, and changes approved last year are now being implemented, including efforts to ensure new mothers get the health care they need.

Last Sunday, a new law expanded postnatal care by requiring public and private health plans to cover a series of care visits for up to 12 weeks after a baby is delivered. Two of those visits would have to involve comprehensive care.

Rep. Ruth Richardson, DFL-Mendota Heights, was the bill's sponsor and hopes it helps address the maternal mortality crisis.

"What we know about these deaths is that 80% of them are preventable," Richardson emphasized. "This is a step in the right direction to ensure that when people are in need of support that they can get it."

The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed countries. In states such as Minnesota, the rates are higher for women of color.

A recent state health department report noted Black Minnesotans represent 13% of the birthing population but make up 23% of pregnancy-associated deaths. The disparities also exist within the infant mortality rate.

Richardson argued by expanding access to coverage in the weeks after the delivery date, there's hope for a better outcome for both the mother and child.

"It's part of that comprehensive visit," Richardson explained. "It will include things related to the infant's care; their feeding and other things as well."

Richardson acknowledged there is more work to do to close existing gaps. She pointed out another solution should involve expanding the scope of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, which could enhance prevention efforts.

Separately, Minnesota last year joined the list of states to extend postpartum coverage for 12 months to those enrolled in Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program. The option stemmed from provisions under the American Rescue Plan.

A new report sheds light on the state of women's health in Ohio, with growing concerns about maternal care and postpartum mental health.

As September is one of the peak months for births, many new mothers face challenges such as postpartum depression.

Jennifer Winston, health data scientist for U.S. News and World Report, shared insights from the March of Dimes' latest report on maternity care deserts.

"Half of U.S. counties don't have hospitals providing obstetric care and a third don't have a single obstetric clinician," Winston pointed out. "Postpartum depression is a really important part of maternal health care. These closures put a lot of pressure on hospitals, especially in rural areas."

Winston's findings underscored concerns the lack of access to maternal health care services directly affects mental health, particularly for women in rural communities. The gap in care can intensify feelings of isolation and make it harder for new mothers to seek timely help during and after pregnancy.

Experts continue to emphasize the importance of early intervention and comprehensive support for women experiencing postpartum depression.

Dr. Donna O'Shea, OB/GYN and chief medical officer for population health at UnitedHealthcare, stressed the value of both medical and emotional support, encouraging new mothers to reach out if they notice signs of postpartum depression, such as overwhelming sadness, fatigue or feelings of disconnection.

"One in five women experience pregnancy-related mental health conditions," O'Shea noted. "Of women who have postpartum depression, 20% will face suicidal thoughts and even attempt self-harm."

While awareness of postpartum depression continues to grow, O'Shea emphasized improving access to mental health and obstetric care remains a priority. For Ohio mothers, especially those in rural or underserved areas, she said bridging these gaps will be crucial to ensuring their well-being during the postpartum period.

Oregon is in the upper echelon when it comes to the number of women in higher office.

Four of the five statewide elected positions in the state are held by women, including Tina Kotek in the governor's office. It is a rare achievement.

Debbie Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics, said the national average for women in statewide elected offices is about one in three. However, the number of women in the top positions in Oregon is guaranteed to go down in November, with men running for two of the five offices. Walsh acknowledged it is the nature of politics.

"No state can just say, 'Well, we fixed the problem of women's underrepresentation in politics. We don't need to do the work of recruiting and supporting women to run.'" Walsh stressed. "That work is ongoing."

Men will be facing off in Oregon's Secretary of State and Attorney General races in November. But Walsh noted the state has set a high bar elsewhere too. Women hold half of its Congressional seats and women are in a little more than 40% of the seats in the state legislature.

Walsh pointed out women face a number of barriers to office. While they raise comparable amounts of money to men running in comparable races, they are less likely to self-fund their campaigns. She explained women are more dependent on small donors, which can be good because it means more people are investing in the campaign.

"The flip side of that is that the amount of time and energy and work that it takes to raise $1,000 is just exponentially higher and harder for a candidate who is more dependent on those low level dollars or those low dollar donations," Walsh stressed.

Women running for office has become a big storyline this year with Vice President Kamala Harris' run for president. Walsh noted if she wins, it will be a big breakthrough for women, especially women of color.

"The only downside to seeing a woman elected at the very top is that people then think that the problem is solved because we've elected a woman President of the United States," Walsh added. "Complacency will not get us to gender equity across levels of office."


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Following the signing of the Michigan Family Protection Act by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, concerns remain about a potential federal ban on in vitro fertilization. The Act, signed in April, safeguards reproductive services such as surrogacy IVF and abortion. However, Project 2025 could limit access to these services if he wins the presidency in November.

Stephanie Jones of Grand Blanc, a mother who used IVF to conceive and had her daughter via surrogacy after secondary infertility, is a strong advocate of the procedure.

"A ban on IVF would be a ban on critical health care to hundreds of thousands of Americans, and without access to IVF, people would not be able to grow and some start their families. So it would be devastating," she contended.

Jones nearly lost her life due to a rare ectopic pregnancy, and credits an emergency abortion with saving her. Her pre-Roe experience now drives her advocacy for policies that protect IVF and support unrestricted abortion rights.

However, many right-to-life advocates contend that these reproductive services are not only morally wrong but unsafe.

Natalie Dodson, a policy analyst with The Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington D.C., warns that reproductive service providers often downplay the health risks associated with IVF for both mothers and babies.

"In particular, the risk of non-chromosomal birth defects increase by 40%, the risk of autism is two times more likely, stillbirth increases up to 4 times compared to spontaneous conception. Additionally, women who undergo IVF experience increased health risks and poor health outcome," she said.

Dodson claims that scientifically life begins at conception, inside or outside the uterus, and said her main concern is whether embryos created through IVF have the same value as those developing naturally.


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