Massachusetts Senate Bill S1414

Massachusetts 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/16/23
• Refer: 2/16/23

Caption

Relative to conducting fetal and infant mortality review

Impact

The implications of S1414 are significant as it mandates the Department of Public Health to designate local health agencies authorized to perform in-depth reviews. This approach enhances the capability of local entities to focus on specific community health needs, potentially leading to targeted interventions that can reduce infant and fetal mortality rates. The structured process for data collection and analysis will provide valuable insights that can be leveraged to improve maternal and child health services throughout the state.

Summary

Senate Bill 1414 seeks to address the critical issues surrounding fetal and infant mortality in Massachusetts by establishing a structured review process. This legislation allows authorized local health agencies to conduct thorough evaluations of each case of fetal and infant death within their jurisdictions. The aim is to identify local factors contributing to these tragedies and to inform public health policies and programs appropriately. By facilitating data collection from a variety of sources, including medical records and community program data, the bill seeks to create a comprehensive understanding of the underlying causes surrounding these deaths.

Contention

While the bill aims to provide a framework for reducing fetal and infant deaths, there may be points of contention regarding data privacy and the handling of sensitive health information. Stakeholders might express concerns over the extent of access authorized agencies will have to medical records and the types of data being collected. Furthermore, discussions may arise about the adequacy of resources for local health agencies to conduct these reviews effectively, as well as their training and workforce capacity to handle sensitive data responsibly.