Maternal Mortality Review Committees Under Fire Amid Rising Scrutiny
In response to the alarming maternal mortality rates in the U.S., states have relied on Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs) to investigate and learn from the deaths of mothers. However, recent scrutiny has placed committees in Georgia, Texas, and Idaho at the center of controversy following new abortion laws.
Georgia’s MMRC faced upheaval last November when all its members were dismissed after sensitive information about ongoing death reviews was leaked. In Texas, the committee has paused reviews of maternal deaths from 2022 and 2023, coinciding with the state’s nearly total abortion ban. Meanwhile, Idaho disbanded its committee but reinstated it this year under new oversight from the state medical board.
Epidemiologist Michael Kramer noted that MMRCs have become "more of a lightning rod" in this charged political climate. According to David Goodman from the CDC, these committees are essential for understanding maternal mortality, examining a wide range of factors from direct pregnancy complications to unrelated causes like overdoses.
Case reviews involve meticulous processes, gathering data from death certificates, medical records, and interviews with families. The committees seek to answer crucial questions about whether deaths were preventable and identify contributory factors. The findings contribute to public reports that inform communities and policymakers about trends and preventative measures – 151 of which were implemented nationwide this year.
In Georgia, a new application process will rebuild its committee. Texas has resumed reviews, focusing on up-to-date data. Idaho’s committee plans a report by January, covering recent cases first. The resurgence of MMRCs in all states marks a growing commitment despite challenges, as only 20 states had such committees in 2015. Experts remain hopeful that insights from these panels will drive improvements in maternal health care across the nation.
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