Independence Blue Cross experts testify before Philadelphia City Council on racial disparities in city's maternal morbidity rate

PHILADELPHIA, PA – March 8, 2024 – Leaders from Independence Blue Cross (IBX) provided testimony to Philadelphia City Council on solutions to racial disparities in the maternal mortality rate in the city.

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The testimony took place at a hearing called by Councilmember and Public Health Committee Chair Nina Ahmad, Ph.D. Rev. Dr. Lorina Marshall-Blake, president of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation (IBX Foundation) and vice president of Community Affairs for Independence Blue Cross, and Dr. Seun Ross, executive director of Health Equity for Independence Blue Cross, spoke before the Council’s Committee on Public Health.

Severe maternal morbidity (SMM) refers to life-threatening complications that occur during or after childbirth. Recent research shows that Black and brown communities are disproportionately affected by SMM. The Public Health Committee hearing investigated racism as a factor and cause of maternal morbidity. Potential solutions to the issue were also discussed.

Improving Maternal Health Care

In their testimonies, Marshall-Blake and Ross identified evidence-based programs supported by the IBX Foundation and IBX to improve the quality of maternal care and eliminate racial disparities in maternal morbidity rates in Philadelphia.