For many Black women, seeking medical care means navigating a system where racial bias and unequal treatment persist—disparities that continue to undermine their health, safety, and trust in the very institutions meant to heal them. Medical apartheid, a term coined by Harriett A. Washington, refers to the systemic and historical mistreatment of Black Americans within the U.S. healthcare system, particularly through unethical medical experimentation, exclusion, and exploitatio

In a chilling new trend, tragic medical outcomes like stillbirths and miscarriages are increasingly becoming criminal cases, with devastating consequences for patients. This is fueled by more than just new laws; it’s powered by a troubling mix of legal loopholes and digital surveillance. We’re seeing prosecutors use personal data—from Google searches to period-tracking app logs—as evidence, often purchased directly from data brokers without a warrant.

Millions of women in the United States face pregnancy without access to even the most basic maternal health services. Maternity care deserts are defined as counties with no hospitals offering obstetric services, no birth centers, and no practicing obstetricians, gynecologists, or certified nurse midwives. Impacted areas have grown into a silent public health emergency in the United States.

I sat down with my friend, Ryan-Simone Duncan, and had a conversation about her experiences and her advocacy for reproductive rights. Through her advocacy, the accomplished, young 25-year old,  has starred in commercials and given speeches advocat

Why do we do this work? Because we have to. The reality is that people are hurting, physically, emotionally, and financially. Remaining silent is not an option. At The Ruth Collective, we are committed to doing more than just raising awareness. We are building support systems, amplifying truth, and protecting choice. Our work is about more than policy; it is all about people.

At the heart of all advocacy is intersectionality, but especially within The Ruth Collective’s vision for personal healthcare choices to be just that: personal. 

The Trump administration announced on June 3 that it will revoke federal guidance ensuring hospitals provide emergency abortions when necessary to stabilize a patient’s health (Associated Press, 2025). The 2022 Biden-era policy was implemented after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade to clarify that hospitals must offer abortion care in medical emergencies—including cases of severe hemorrhage, organ failure, or other life-threatening complications.

On May 27th, 2025, the Missouri Supreme Court ordered Judge Zhang to vacate her injunctions against the abortion ban, citing that the judge had applied the wrong legal standards, which in turn led to the reinstatement of the abortion ban. It is worth noting that the Missouri Supreme Court did not rule directly on abortion access.