pa-maternal-mortality

‘This is only a start’: Shapiro, lawmakers celebrate signing of maternal mortality bill

BY: - October 31, 2023

The act — formerly known as Senate Bill 262 — was introduced by state Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and requires Pennsylvania’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee to share each reportable maternal mortality and morbidity event with the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

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Pa. lawmakers launch Black Maternal Health Caucus to combat ‘alarming’ maternal mortality rates

BY: - October 19, 2023

Three state lawmakers announced this week the creation of the Black Maternal Health Caucus in an effort to find legislative solutions to Pennsylvania’s high rates of Black maternal mortality and morbidity. 

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Legislators welcome funds for maternal health included in House-approved budget bill

BY: - July 13, 2023

The current iteration of Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first state budget includes a first-of-its-kind $2.3 million investment in expanding maternal health programming and implementation of prevention strategies to reduce maternal mortality in Pennsylvania.

Mother Kissing Sleeping Baby

Pa. House unanimously passes bill combating maternal morbidity | Five for the Weekend

BY: - June 24, 2023

The bill, which was reintroduced this session by state Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks, adds “severe maternal morbidity” to the list of reportable events within the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

A ‘very serious conversation’: Pa. House panel hears fixes on maternal mortality crisis

BY: - April 13, 2023

The hearing, led by state Rep. Gina Curry, D-Delaware, who serves as co-chair of the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus, focused on addressing the maternal mortality crisis, which disproportionately affects women and birthing people of color. 

Maternal mortality crisis among top concerns for state lawmakers, Shapiro admin

BY: - March 12, 2023

In his first budget address to state lawmakers last week, Gov. Josh Shapiro said that “for the first time” the commonwealth is going to put “real resources” into studying the root causes of Pennsylvania’s high maternal mortality rate, which is three times higher for Black women. 

‘Heartbroken and horrified’: state officials, advocates discuss abortion access in Pa.

BY: - September 21, 2022

As more than a dozen states have moved to ban or restrict access to abortion care following the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 24 decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Goulet said that it's important that Americans talk about what it is like to experience pregnancy in the U.S.

New advisory group aims to improve pregnancy, postpartum care in Pa. | Five for the Weekend

BY: - August 6, 2022

Earlier this week, the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced the creation of an advisory group to improve pregnancy and postpartum care support across the commonwealth. 

In Philly, maternal mortality, health care inequities take center stage at abortion access hearing

BY: - July 26, 2022

The hearing, the second in a series of meetings about reproductive healthcare in Pennsylvania, focused on the impact abortion bans would have on Pennsylvania’s maternal mortality rate and the implications for OB-GYN physicians, as well as how advocates and providers are faring with an influx of out-of-state patients. 

The state of abortion, infant, and maternal care in Pa. | The Numbers Racket

BY: - May 30, 2022

Using the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Kaiser Family Foundation, the Capital-Star compiled statistics on abortion, and maternal and infant care in Pennsylvania. 

Health care providers, state officials tout new initiatives to combat rise in maternal mortality

BY: - March 1, 2022

In Pennsylvania, pregnancy-related deaths grew by more than 21 percent in the five years between 2013 and 2018, officials said.

Pa. extends postpartum Medicaid coverage for pregnant persons

BY: - August 5, 2021

The extension will take effect beginning April 1, 2022  and will be available for five years as an optional part of the American Rescue Plan.