The United States ranks as the only developed nation on a list of countries with increasing maternal mortality rates. No. 1 in spending at $3.3 trillion, the U.S. ranks 47th in pregnancy-related deaths and is one of only eight nations with worsening pregnancy-related death rates.
In response, Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Washington, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois, penned a piece on The Hill that outlined a multi-front approach to battling maternal mortality, which has increased between 2000 and 2014. The legislators cite efforts to pass Preventing Maternal Deaths Act of 2017, which would establish state committees to determine why pregnancy-related deaths are higher than other industrialized countries.
They also cite the Ending Maternal Mortality Act of 2018, which would bolster federal efforts.
“The time has come for an ambitious plan to stem the rising tide of tragic death and illness our nation is facing,” write Beutler and Krishnamoorthi. “Eliminating all preventable maternal deaths is a lofty goal to be sure, but that is precisely why our nation should pursue it. We cannot be satisfied until we have the lowest maternal mortality rate in the world and we can prevent any woman from dying in childbirth due to preventable conditions for lack of proper care.”
Read more at The Hill:
Nicholas joined TriMed in 2016 as the managing editor of the Chicago office. After receiving his master’s from Roosevelt University, he worked in various writing/editing roles for magazines ranging in topic from billiards to metallurgy. Currently on Chicago’s north side, Nicholas keeps busy by running, reading and talking to his two cats.