PENNSYLVANIA, January 22 - maternal mortality rate in the United States, from a low of 7.2

deaths per 100,000 live births in 1987 to 15.9, 17.3 and 18

deaths per 100,000 in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively; and

WHEREAS, The national Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System

indicates that the rate of pregnancy-related deaths varies by

race, ethnicity and age, with Black women and birthing people

having the highest mortality rate at more than 40 deaths per

every 100,000 live births; and

WHEREAS, The most recent data available on the maternal

mortality rate in Pennsylvania indicates an overall pregnancy-

associated mortality ratio of 82 deaths per 100,000 live births;

and

WHEREAS, Black women and birthing people in Pennsylvania are

two times more likely to experience pregnancy-related mortality

with a maternal mortality rate of 163 deaths per 100,000 live

births and are two to three times more likely to experience

pregnancy-related mortality nationally; and

WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

recommends maternal deaths be investigated through state-based

reviews to identify the causes of pregnancy-related deaths and

recommend ways to decrease maternal death rates; and

WHEREAS, The General Assembly approved and the Governor

signed Act 24 of 2018, known as the Maternal Mortality Review

Act, establishing the multidisciplinary Maternal Mortality

Review Committee, as a first step to address the serious issue

of increasing maternal mortality across this Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, The committee is tasked with examining pregnancy-

related deaths, developing prevention recommendations and

increasing public and professional awareness of the incidence of

pregnancy-related deaths and strategies to prevent maternal

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