Deadly Delivery: Health is a Human Right

Abstract: As put forth by this Amnesty International review, “In 2009, the new US Administration and Congress focused on the need to reform the health care system, in particular on improving access to care and reducing the growth in health care spending. Although the proposals under debate would reduce the number of uninsured individuals, no legislation currently under consideration would realize the human rights standards of making health care available, accessible, acceptable, and of good quality to all, without discrimination. It is estimated that the proposed reforms would still leave between 18 and 24 million people without insurance, and for many health care costs would remain unaffordable. In addition, as reform is primarily focused around health care coverage, it would leave largely unaddressed the issues identified in the report regarding discrimination, systemic failures and accountability. As efforts to reform the US health care system are developed and implemented, it is imperative that human rights standards are applied, so that all have equal access to affordable, quality health care, including maternal health care. Maternal deaths and injuries are stark reminders of what is at stake when the government fails to put in place a health care system that respects, protects and fulfills the human right to health without discrimination. The consequences are evident every step of the way. Women have inadequate access to family planning, enter pregnancy in less than optimal health, receive late or inadequate prenatal care, are given inadequate or inappropriate care during delivery and have limited access to post-natal care. It is essential that the debate about health care in the USA goes beyond health care coverage and addresses access to quality health care for all on the basis of equality and non-discrimination. Maternal health care services must be improved for all women, and particularly for those most affected by current disparities in health care and outcomes. For over 20 years the US authorities have failed to improve the outcomes and disparities in maternal health care. This report shows the human cost of this failure and highlights the urgent steps needed to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates in the USA.”