LANSING — Sen. Erika Geiss (D–Taylor) has issued the following statement on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address, during which she spoke about closing the gaps in health care disparities:
“Addressing health care disparities and their adverse impacts will always be a high priority for me. Black maternal death is one of the widest of all racial disparities in women’s health — according to the CDC, Black mothers in the United States die at three to four times the rate of white mothers. Further, children of color living in poverty are more likely to experience adverse health issues and outcomes. During my time in the Michigan Legislature, I have worked to close the gap in health disparities while illuminating their causes that are rooted in systemic racism, sexism and economic injustice. From sponsoring resolutions that recognize the systemic issues that plague Black mothers to protecting the privacy of survivors of domestic assault, I am working to move Michigan families forward.
“I was glad to see Governor Whitmer acknowledge these issues and propose real policy solutions that are rooted in economic justice and intersectionality. I look forward to working with her to ensure equitable access to health care that moves Michiganders forward.”
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Sen. Geiss represents the 6th Senate District in Wayne County that includes the communities of Belleville, Brownstown, Flat Rock, Huron, Rockwood, Romulus, Sumpter, Taylor, Van Buren and Westland.