Essay
Pregnant persons are some of the most vulnerable individuals within our population. Considering the current state of our nation's laws combating these individuals, and the termination of Roe v. Wade, it is imperative that we protect them under our own laws, as well as protect their rights. The people of Minnesota appear to be part of the fortunate who have leaders determined to preserve these rights, but there is still much work to do to ensure the complete safety of pregnant people and their offspring. The bill I wish to propose is bill HF0052, a bill for an act relating to a Designated Support Person for Pregnant Patients. Pregnant patients have the right to have a designated support person present while receiving healthcare. This act ensures that a health care provider and a health care facility must allow, at a minimum, one designated support person of a pregnant patient's choosing to be physically present while the patient is receiving healthcare services including during a hospital stay. Because of the vulnerability of pregnant patients, it is important that they are granted the support they need when visiting healthcare providers, especially to those inexperienced, single, adolescent, or who speak a foreign language. Considering the statistics of marginalized groups' mortality rate, such as underprivileged black women, it is also mandatory that healthcare providers are working with one hundred percent transparency and doing everything they can to ensure safety for the carrier and the baby, no matter their race, gender, or nationality. The bill relating to a Designated Support Person for Pregnant Patients will benefit all who experience pregnancy and make certain that they are not alone in their journey.
