Former Vice President Kamala Harris appeared in Detroit on Tuesday alongside Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, arguing that rollbacks of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs amount to an attack on maternal health care, particularly for Black and Native American women.
The event was a campaign roundtable featuring El-Sayed and several healthcare advocates, centered on Black maternal health and the cost of care in Michigan and nationally.
“An attack on DEI, to recognize diversity, equity and inclusion, is an attack by definition on maternal care, including the need to protect Black women in connection with their pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care,” Harris said.
Harris cited figures showing that maternal mortality risk rises up to four times for Black women and three times for Native American women compared with other groups. She also said “one in 12 women in America currently lives in a maternal care desert with limited or no access to maternal care.”
She criticized political leaders who emphasize “family values” while supporting the elimination of DEI programs, saying that stance conflicts with the reality of unequal maternal outcomes.
“As one of the most — some would say the most financially strong economies in the world — we have the distinction of also having one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the world,” Harris said. “So, it raises the issue of disparities and also hypocrisy when there are leaders who otherwise walk around every day talking about their family values.”
Harris also attacked President Donald Trump’s health care legislation, which she called the “Big Bad Bill,” saying it cut Medicaid spending. She linked that legislation to Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers, El-Sayed’s opponent in the Michigan race, saying he backed the cuts.
“Medicaid is the largest funder for maternity care in America,” Harris said. “Donald Trump cut Medicaid funding by a trillion dollars. These are the facts Mike Rogers supported that cut through that ‘Big Bad Bill.'”
Harris closed the event by endorsing El-Sayed’s candidacy, citing his record on maternal health.
“I’m here to support Doctor El Sayed, because, on this subject, I know he will be a champion,” Harris said. “And I have a right to say that.”
The appearance comes ahead of Michigan’s November midterm elections, in which El-Sayed and Rogers are competing for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat.
