State Rep. Talarico Unveils Plan to Tackle Maternal Mortality

AUSTIN, TX — State Rep. James Talarico commemorated Mother’s Day by announcing his plan to tackle maternal mortality — a problem that disproportionately impacts Black mothers in the state of Texas.

His plan follows in the footsteps of trailblazers in this field, including Texas State Representative Toni Rose, who successfully authored and passed bipartisan legislation to provide critical support to pregnant and postpartum women. 

Her bill, House Bill 12, extended Medicaid and CHIP postpartum coverage — such as prenatal doctor visits, prenatal vitamins, labor and delivery, and postpartum check-ups — from two to 12 months. HB12 passed with bipartisan support in 2023, benefitting hundreds of thousands of women across Texas. In the State Legislature, James was a strong supporter of this legislation.

“I’m proud to announce our comprehensive plan to tackle the maternal mortality crisis — an issue that has disproportionately impacted Black women in Texas and across the country for far too long. My colleague Texas State Representative Toni Rose has championed legislation for pregnant and postpartum women’s rights in the state legislature, and I’m honored to follow in her footsteps as we try to build on her trailblazing work in the U.S. Senate,” said James Talarico. 

“The maternal mortality crisis in Texas and across our nation is unacceptable, and Black women are bearing the heaviest burden. I fought to pass House Bill 12 to expand care for new mothers because no woman should die bringing life into the world. Representative Talarico understands what’s at stake, and his plan shows he’s ready to take this fight to Washington. We need a champion in the U.S. Senate, and I’m proud to stand with him,” said State Representative Toni Rose.

MATERNAL MORTALITY PLAN

This Mother’s Day, millions of Americans will celebrate the unconditional love and sacrifice made by mothers. The best way we can appreciate these mothers is by passing policies to protect them.

It’s time to pass meaningful solutions to address Texas’ maternal mortality crisis — a crisis that is three times as deadly for Black women in this country. 

That’s why our campaign is unveiling a comprehensive policy package to address maternal mortality so that pregnant and postpartum women have the support they need.

TALARICO FOR TEXAS PLAN TO ADDRESS MATERNAL MORTALITY

• Guarantee all new mothers can take time off work to tend to their health by passing nationwide paid maternity legislation.
• Improve data collection, provider training, and investment in maternal health research so that maternal mortality review committees (MMRCs) in every state can understand this crisis, doctors have the skills they need to treat the most impacted patients, and policymakers can make decisions that properly represent minority communities.
• Ensure access to adequate health insurance by allowing every American — regardless of their age — to join Medicare, restoring enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits, mandating that states enact the 12-month Medicaid expansion for pregnant and postpartum women, and expanding federal grant programs to educate pregnant and postpartum women about healthcare options and connect them to resources.
• End maternal care deserts by requiring insurance to cover doula and midwife services, expanding access to telemedicine services, and funding workforce development programs that recruit and retain maternal care providers, including from underserved communities.
• Extend eligibility for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) so moms, babies, and young children can access adequate nutrition.
• Expand the Healthy Start Program to support families with home visits, care coordination, parenting education, and other services before, during, and after pregnancy.

Texas continues to face one of the nation’s worst maternal health crises, particularly for Black mothers. The state’s maternal mortality rate is 29.3 deaths per 100,000 live births, higher than the national rate of 23.5, and has increased nearly 25% since 2019. Texas also ranks 49th in the nation for healthcare quality for women of childbearing age. The danger doesn’t end after childbirth either. Nearly two-thirds of pregnancy-related deaths occur during the first year postpartum, making continued access to healthcare after delivery critical.

The burden falls disproportionately on Black women. They are three times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related causes, even though more than 80% of those deaths are considered preventable. In Harris County, Black maternal mortality reached 83 deaths per 100,000 live births between 2016 and 2020, one of the highest rates in the country. At the same time, access to maternity care remains a growing challenge across Texas. Nearly half of all counties are considered maternity care deserts, many rural hospitals no longer offer labor and delivery services, and thousands of pregnant Texans must travel long distances to reach a birthing facility.