As an organization that aids pregnant women in navigating the system and circumstances to ensure healthy births, you might question our involvement in the right to choose abortion. It is precisely because of what we see daily – and the connection between reproductive freedom and maternal and infant health – that drives our belief that a great injustice has been done to women and families. The mothers we serve live in the ZIP codes of Kansas City, MO and Kansas City, KS with the highest rates of infant mortality in the metro. They are often the poorest of the poor, facing barriers in daily living that most of us take for granted. While this is a universal issue, the brunt of this decision will be borne by those least-advantaged, particularly Black families. Shannon Williams, Healthy Start Program Director, was interviewed by KSHB-41 News on this topic, which can be viewed here.

Missouri already ranks a dismal 44^th nationally in maternal mortality, with a rate for Black mothers three times that of White mothers. Missouri is also one of the states that has a “trigger” law that essentially banned abortion as soon as the Supreme Court decision was released. This is against the backdrop of a legislative session in which lawmakers defeated an effort to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage to one year, a policy that would truly value the lives of Missouri mothers and their children. 

Kansas will be the first state to vote on the question of maintaining reproductive freedom and protecting women’s health. On August 2, there is a ballot initiative that would place the authority to restrict/ban abortion with the legislature, reversing a Kansas Supreme Court decision that reinforced the constitutional right to privacy and abortion two years ago. A “no” vote on August 2 protects a woman’s right to choose while a “yes” vote allows what is anticipated to be a ban through legislative action next session. While many of us resent the fact that women’s health is a political issue, please vote! A woman’s life may depend on it. 

Tenants’ Rights and the Impact on Vulnerable Families 

 

Medicaid Eligibility during the Federal Health Emergency 

For more details, members can check out our members-only web page at www.nurturekc.org/members. If you're a member and have forgotten the password, please email Erica Wilson at ewilson@nurturekc.org.

Why is Nurture KC on a mission to train hospital staff in safe sleep habits for babies? In Kansas City, unsafe sleep accounts for 16% of all infant deaths, and 24% of Black infant deaths. These deaths are preventable!

Sadly, Missouri ranks 44th nationally for maternal mortality. Nurture KC took part in a Town Hall by Congressman Emanuel Cleaver on Combatting Maternal Mortality. Our Executive Director, Tracy Russell, shared how to improve the health of local moms, along with experts from Saint Luke's Health System, March of Dimes, the Missouri Hospital Association and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Collaboration is key to move the needle and save moms' lives!