Throughout 2018, a number of strides were made to improve maternal health in the United States and Pennsylvania. This blog outlines some of the key legislative victories of the year.
- Pennsylvania Establishes a Maternal Moratality Review Committee (MMRC) - Earlier this year, Governor Tom Wolf signed Act 24 of 2018, which established a Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) in Pennsylvania. The MMRC will review pregnancy-related deaths in Pennsylvania, with a goal of reducing the state's maternal mortality rate. The newly established PA PQC will serve as the action arm for the state's MMRC.
- S. 1112/H.R. 1318 Preventing Maternal Deaths Act - Last week, the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act passed both the House and the Senate. This legislation will provide funding to states to review pregnancy-related deaths and establish MMRCs.
- S. 783/H.R. 315 Improving Access to Maternity Care Act - The Improving Access to Maternity Care Act passed in the Senate earlier this month. This blog from Every Mother Counts outlines the importance of the bill, which will require the government to identify areas that face shortages in maternity care providers.