88R7117 LRM-D
By: Thierry H.B. No. 1664
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study on maternal mortality and morbidity among Black
women in this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this section:
(1) "Department" means the Department of State Health
Services.
(2) "Review committee" means the Texas Maternal
Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee established under Chapter
34, Health and Safety Code.
(b) The review committee and the department shall jointly
conduct a study to evaluate maternal mortality and morbidity among
Black women in this state. In conducting the study, the review
committee and department shall:
(1) compare maternal mortality and morbidity rates
among Black women in this state in relation to maternal mortality
and morbidity rates among each other race and ethnicity;
(2) compare maternal mortality and morbidity rates
among Black women in this state in relation to socioeconomic status
and education level;
(3) assess the impact of social determinants of
health, including an evaluation of data on pregnancy-related
deaths, pregnancy-related complications that almost resulted in
death, and morbidities, to identify any correlation in that data to
women who are uninsured, women who receive health care coverage
under Medicaid, and women who receive health care coverage through
a private insurer;
(4) evaluate the impact of the following health
conditions on maternal mortality and morbidity:
(A) cardiac health conditions;
(B) preeclampsia, eclampsia, and other
hypertensive disorders;
(C) hemorrhage;
(D) obesity; and
(E) stress-related health conditions; and
(5) assess the extent to which implicit biases held by
health care providers against Black individuals affect maternal
mortality and morbidity among Black women.
(c) Based on the results of the study conducted under this
section, the review committee and department shall develop
recommendations to address disparities in maternal mortality and
morbidity among Black women, including recommendations on:
(1) strategies to reduce the incidence of
pregnancy-related deaths and severe maternal morbidity;
(2) patient outreach and education;
(3) health care provider training, including a
recommendation on the potential benefit of training on cultural
competency and implicit biases against Black individuals;
(4) best practices identified as successful in
reducing maternal mortality and morbidity; and
(5) the implementation in this state of programs
operating in other states that have reduced maternal mortality and
morbidity rates.
(d) Not later than September 1, 2024, the review committee
and department shall prepare and submit to the governor, lieutenant
governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and appropriate
committees of the legislature a written report that summarizes the
results of the study and includes the recommendations developed
under this section. The report may be consolidated with the
biennial report required under Section 34.015, Health and Safety
Code.
SECTION 2. This Act expires December 31, 2024.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2023.