Maternal Health Risks Rise Amid Care Shortages and Policy Debate

The Challenge: South Carolina faces high maternal mortality rates, driven in part by limited access to maternal care providers and gaps in healthcare access. What do South Carolinians think? This issue generates strong engagement, with 82% approval, though perspectives vary more across political groups than other topics. South Carolina faces significant risks for women driven by reduced access to care, provider shortages, and gaps in timely, quality healthcare. One woman shared the life-saving importance of timely care: “I would be dead if that happened now,” while providers emphasize the need for patient-centered medical decision-making and improved access to care for women.