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Panel backs requiring regular maternal mortality reviews; language amended and laid over
Summary
Lawmakers heard testimony supporting a bill to require the state to conduct maternal death studies on a regular cadence. AWHONN-affiliated clinicians and MMRC leaders told the committee consistent data collection underpins prevention work; the committee adopted an A‑1 amendment and laid the bill over as amended.
The Health Finance and Policy Committee on Wednesday considered legislation to require the state to conduct maternal death studies on a set timeline and report findings to inform prevention efforts.
Representative Aisha Agbaje presented House File 11‑05 and moved adoption of an A‑1 author's amendment that clarified timing language. Agbaje said Minnesota's maternal mortality and morbidity rates show marked racial disparities: data from 2017–2019 show Black mothers were 2.3 times and American Indian mothers about four times more likely to die from pregnancy‑related causes than white women; the committee heard that roughly 40 percent of those deaths occurred in rural Minnesota.
Jennifer Almanza, a midwife and obstetric nurse leader who also co‑chairs the state Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) with Dr. Cresta Jones, described the MMRC's methods. Almanza said the MMRC has improved case abstractions, incorporated family interviews and compiled state reports; she argued inconsistent or optional timing could jeopardize momentum and urged changing permissive language to a requirement so the committee's work continues. “Without the protection offered by this minor language change our state risks losing momentum in this vital work,” Almanza testified.
Members asked whether the Department of Health currently conducts these studies. Agbaje said the department does perform reviews but not on a fixed cadence; a report covering deaths through 2019 was released and the committee was told an update through 2021 was forthcoming. Several lawmakers praised the MMRC's interdisciplinary approach and urged continued support for recommendations such as extending Medicaid coverage postpartum and increasing access to medications for opioid use disorder.
The committee adopted the A‑1 author's amendment and laid House File 11‑05, as amended, over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.
Why it matters: Maternal mortality review committees compile detailed case data that public health officials and providers use to design prevention and equity interventions. Supporters told the committee a statutory requirement for regular reporting would preserve the committee's progress and sustain state momentum on maternal health improvements.
