Amid Increase in Maternal Deaths, House Votes to Save Maternal Mortality Task Force

AUSTIN — The House unanimously gave initial approval Monday to four similar bills that would continue the state's Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force until 2023.The task force's work is critical, proponents of the measures said, considering that Texas' maternal death rate has skyrocketed in recent years."HB 9 directs the Heath and Human Services Commission to evaluate options for addressing the top causes of maternal mortality," said Rep. Cindy Burkett, R-Sunnyvale, the author of House Bill 9. The Senate passed a bill identical to Burkett's last week. Between 2010 and 2014, Texas' maternal mortality rate doubled from 18.6 deaths to 35.8 deaths per 100,000 live births — the highest rate in the developed world.  Continue reading...