Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler
Citing the growing maternal mortality rate in the U.S., Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, introduced a bill Monday to direct public health officials to come up with a strategy to stop the trend.
The goal of the Ending Maternal Mortality Act is to halve maternal mortality and morbidity rates in the next decade and eliminate preventable maternal deaths within 20 years. To achieve that, it requires U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to design and implement a National Strategy to Combat Maternal Mortality.
“Congress needs to take action to help make giving birth a safer experience for
moms across this country,” Herrera Beutler said in a statement. “I’ve heard far too many stories of women dying or experiencing traumatic health challenges in childbirth, and so many of the issues they’re confronting are preventable.”
Herrera Beutler was joined by Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-IL, in introducing the bill, as well as 16 cosponsors.
It calls for improved data collection, working to resolve racial and ethnic disparities in and pregnancy outcomes and determining best practices for health professionals. Herrera Beutler cited the 700 to 900 American women who die from pregnancy or childbirth each year, as well as the country’s No. 47 status for maternal mortality rate.
