The 2020 Census found that black people comprised only 12.4% of the overall population, yet statistics provided by the CDC for 2017-2019, 31.4% of pregnancy-related deaths were black women. While people have suggested many different reasons for this disproportionate effect, there is one thing they can all agree on: there is a huge problem.

San Francisco mayor London Breed announced in September 2020 that the city was beginning a pilot program, the Abundant Birth Project, designed to provide additional resources for two historically under-protected groups, black, and Pacific Islander mothers. 

The concept was relatively simple: approximately 150 women in this target population would receive $1,000 per month during pregnancy and six months postpartum. The program would rely upon a combination of public and private funding and would eventually expand to cover supplemental income for the first two years postpartum.

The Hellman Foundation and the UCSF Preterm Birth Initiative planned to study the health effects of the program, though their findings have yet to be released. 

Supporters of the Abundant Birth Project believe it constitutes a step forward in racial equality. They say that minority women are at an increased risk for employment insecurity, which can negatively impact babies by contributing to maternal stress. 

Opponents question the premise of this argument. At the same time, they agree that excess stress is unhealthy for babies, they do not necessarily believe that mothers' financial situations are affected by their ethnicities. Some also believe this is an improper way to use taxpayer funds as it shows favoritism for certain groups over others. 

The question up for debate: Is the Abundant Birth Project, which provides $1000/month for pregnant minority mothers, proper use of taxpayer funds?