Ramaswamy needs to explain how he proposes to improve health for Black babies and mothers

COLUMBUS, OH — In 2023 while he was running for president, Vivek Ramaswamy made jaw-droppingly racist statements about Black mothers and babies. 

“A Black baby is probably safer in the inner streets of Chicago…the inner city of Chicago than in the womb of his own Black mother,” he said.  In Ohio, Black infants die at more than double the rate of white infants, a gap that is predicted to grow due to Medicaid cuts. Ramaswamy famously called Medicaid a “mistake,” even though it covers nearly half of all Ohio births and 40% of all Ohio children.

Innovation Ohio has a few questions Ohio reporters should be demanding Ramaswamy answer:

• In Ohio, Black infants die at more than twice the rate of white infants — a gap that has widened over the past decade. Ohio ranks among the worst in the nation for infant mortality. What is Ramaswamy's specific plan to address Black infant mortality in Ohio?

• In an October 2024 interview on The Ezra Klein Show, Ramaswamy said Medicaid was a "mistake." Medicaid covers nearly half of all births in Ohio. Does he stand by that characterization?

• The One Big Beautiful Bill Act cuts roughly $930 billion from Medicaid nationally. Has he proposed any state-level measures to offset those cuts for Ohio families?

• Medicaid covers nearly half of all births in Ohio. Black mothers are disproportionately likely to rely on Medicaid for prenatal care. How does Ramaswamy reconcile his stated concern about Black infant mortality with his support for policies that reduce Medicaid coverage?

• Does he ever think before he says this BS?

“Vivek really outdid himself here,” said President of Innovation Ohio Michael McGovern. “Ohioans need to understand how his healthcare policies would harm their families. If he becomes governor, he would oversee our state’s largest health insurance program. If he cared about Black women and babies - which he doesn't - he wouldn't be trying to take away their health coverage in a state already struggling with a Black maternal and infant mortality crisis.”