Policies and Politics Influence Maternal Health Committees
Every state in the United States has a maternal mortality review committee consisting of medical and public health experts tasked with investigating deaths during and after pregnancy. However, recent data has shown that state policies such as abortion bans and Medicaid expansion can impact maternal health outcomes. In response, some states have made controversial decisions to limit or disband their review committees.
Georgia dismissed all members of its committee after their work linked two deaths to the state’s abortion ban. Meanwhile, Texas announced they would not review maternal deaths from 2022 and 2023 following an abortion ban. In Arkansas, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders created her own advisory group after the existing committee recommended extending postpartum Medicaid coverage, a proposal she opposed.
Maternal mortality rates in the U.S. are higher than in other high-income countries, with Black women at a higher risk of death during pregnancy or after birth. State officials have given various reasons for their decisions regarding the committees, with concerns raised about abuse of power and lack of transparency.
Despite these challenges, maternal mortality review committees play a crucial role in investigating maternal deaths and making recommendations for preventing future tragedies. States like California and Illinois have successfully implemented recommendations from their committees to improve maternal health outcomes.
Overall, these committees provide crucial data for informed policymaking and can lead to meaningful changes in maternal health policies. While political interference has impacted some states, efforts are underway to ensure these committees remain independent and focused on improving maternal health for all women.
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