Sejal Hathi

A pregnant woman in America receives more sustained medical attention than at almost any other point in her life. Her blood is drawn, her glucose monitored, her weight and blood pressure tracked. She sees a doctor every four weeks, then every two, then every week. Then she has the baby — and the system moves on. I know how quickly care recedes because I am living it. One year after my daughter’s birth, I still begin most days in a body I no longer fully recognize.

The Medical System Abandons Women When They Are Most Vulnerable May 25, 2026, 5:00 a.m. ET Credit...Zack Nathanson Dr. Hathi is a new mother, a physician and the director of the Oregon Health Authority. A pregnant woman in America receives more sustained medical attention than at almost any other point in her life. Her blood is drawn, her glucose monitored, her weight and blood pressure tracked. She sees a doctor every four weeks, then every two, then every week.

Sign in and save to read later Print this article Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Get a link Request Reprint Permissions Perhaps no U.S. law has been more passionately opposed by Republicans than the Affordable Care Act. For the past eight years, they have repeatedly pledged to abolish Obamacare, with the House of Representatives voting more than 50 times to repeal it. U.S. President Donald Trump took office promising to do just that.