A biblical solution to the urban maternity care crisis

One of the greatest but most overlooked needs in America is maternity care for inner-city women. When many of these women become pregnant, they are often pressured into considering an abortion. Even if they choose to keep their baby, the quality of maternity care they receive is often compromised and many women do not receive any prenatal care before going to the emergency room for labor and delivery.

In Memphis, Tennessee, for example, a city with one of the highest infant mortality rates in the nation, 19 percent of pregnant women who end up delivering their babies receive inadequate or no prenatal care. Thirty percent receive intermediate care. This means that 49 percent are not receiving what the state of Tennessee would call even “adequate” care. The state’s definition of “adequate” probably does not include counseling women in the art of mothering from a Biblical worldview either. What is ironic here, or maybe an actual correlation, is that 50.33 percent of births in Memphis are paid for by Medicaid.

Remember that these statistics only look at the percentages of pregnancies that result in deliveries. Twenty-four percent of pregnancies in Memphis end in abortion. In Philadelphia, 45 percent of pregnancies end in abortion; in Jacksonville, Florida, 36 percent; in San Francisco, California, also 36 percent. Location appears to make no difference, whether east, west, north, south, within the “Bible Belt” or outside.

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Evermyrtle

I don't realize exactly what is being said here. Sixty two years ago I became pregnant while still a teenager. When I discovered I was pregnant I went to our local doctor. I made appointments to see him and kept the appointments. We were as poor as church mice but somehow managed to pay the doctor and the hospital, ourselves.. Now that the government is taking over and paying for everything, the entire situation has gone haywire. We will not take control for our own health, just depend on the government and that has gotten our country in the worse economical, moral condition that we have ever been in. I do not believe it will improve unless and until we take control of our lives, back into our own hands.
- Betz
  
  I assume you don't try to reimburse the government when Medicare helps you with your medical expenses. And do you judge others' mistakes because you're still dealing with your own? No one is perfect. And aren't we the government?
  - http://www.answersingenesis.org/ keyboardshark
    
    No, unfortunately, the people are no longer the government. That is, unless you happen to be a far left radical.
  - Evermyrtle
    
    You assume incorrectly Betz! By the way why would assume that? Is that what your are doing or not doing?
    
    I worked many years paying into the Medicare fund, my late husband worked many more years paying into the save fund, He died just before retiring and never received one cent from the fund. I don't think anybody need to worry about me cheating the Medicare. So, simmer down and worry about Betz.
    - Glen S
      
      Too bad you don't take your own advice. You are on this board day in and day out criticizing that with which you don't agree, sometimes with the same vitriol of which you accuse others.
      
      So Evermyrtle, take your own advice; get off this board; spend more time in the presence of those who study the Word; and start seeking to help the cause of Christ in real and tangible ways.
      - Evermyrtle
        
        Are you referring to the above article? I have reread it and cannot find anything like you mention in it.
        
        My comments are somewhat like those of other people, some of it is my opinion but most is the plain truth. Is there anything in particular that offends you? Is it the truth and did I step on a few toes? If there ever anything that is not true I will welcome any pointing out of the truth. I am far from perfect but I never quit trying, nor am I a quitter..
        
        I do not believe I have ever advised anyone to, "get off this board." Can you give me the precise day, date and place where I ever wrote anything like that? I certainly would like it brought it to my attention so that I can correct it.
        
        I do apologize for any "vitriol" that I used toward you or anybody else. Sometimes, I admit I can get upset over the anti-GOD things that are going on, but I try to catch all of these before posting and delete.
        
        I do thank you for bringing this to my attention and will surely try to watch what I post more closely in the future, I don't promise to "get off this board" because if the sites think that I am out of line, they will bar my comments.
        
        Sincerely I am,
        Myrtle
KERRY STEPHENS

What do they mean by "inner city", or "urban neighborhoods"? Black neighborhoods maybe? Why don't we stop all this politically correct speaking and say what we mean. Blacks are a problem in this country and leadership is what is needed in these communities. Where are the responsible black leaders? That is the problem, not white racism.
- Glen S
  
  This is not "political correctness" as you say and your statement actually does demonstrate true bigotry and racism. Urban neighborhoods are comprised of all ethnic groups. Inner city neighborhoods are comprised of all ethnic groups. Your attempt to make this a racial issue is illogical at best and despicable.
  
  I am glad that the response from Christians who I know is not the same as yours.
Evermyrtle

We have a gigantic problem in America, today. Millions people are sitting back expecting the government to take care of them with contributing one cent to their own care. They are willing to sell their souls to the government for this care. Throw GOD out aof the window and grasp Obama, the king of the seekers..