Sykes says action should follow declaration of infant mortality as public health crisis

State Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) today announced the Ohio House unanimously passed a resolution declaring the state’s infant mortality epidemic a public health crisis. Ohio leads the nation in African American infant deaths and is third highest in infant deaths in the nation.

“The actions of the House today remind this body, the legislature and the governor that it is time to get serious about reducing infant mortality in our state by using resources to drive our efforts and actions to give credence to our words,” said Sykes. “We missed an opportunity to do that in the state budget when access to healthcare coverage for low-income, pregnant mothers was suddenly taken away. I remain hopeful the House won’t make the same mistake twice.” 

Through the state budget, Gov. Kasich and House Republicans eliminated family planning, prenatal care and health and wellness coverage for pregnant women making between $21,708 and $31,460—up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level.