HOUSE COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES BIPARTISAN BILL TO HELP LOWER MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE

(Feb. 13) — A bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, looks to address the increasing rate of maternal deaths. This bill will allow the Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) to review cases of maternal deaths in a timely manner to then work on ways to lower these deaths.

“Colorado’s maternal mortality rate has dramatically increased,” said Rep. Buckner. “In fact, it doubled in Colorado since 2008. It is time that we work to stop what is preventable and save lives.”

HB19-1122 also imposes diversity requirements for the committee as the maternal mortality rate is higher among African-American women and women in urban areas.

“To hear the surprising statistic that 80 percent of maternal deaths in Colorado could have been prevented is a clear indication that we really need this bill,” said Rep. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, chair of the House Public Health Care & Human Services committee.

HB19-1122 also funds CDPHE to complete regular reports to the legislature on ways to prevent maternal mortality based on the findings of the MMRC.

The bill passed unanimously, 11-0, and now heads to the House floor.