Thirty-five Texas women in 100,000 won't leave the hospital with their newborns; the women having died giving birth. The number of woman dying during childbirth doubled between 2010-2012 and researchers aren't completely sure why. The findings were published in September's Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Legislative cuts to programs assisting low-income families if they also provided abortions and the decision to not expand Medicaid, as well as changes to Texas death certificates have all contributed to the uptick.
If it were just these reasons, Texas would be one of only a few states that saw a rise. The national average rose as well across the U.S. bucking the declining international trend line.
What are behind these numbers? What are we seeing here in Texas?
Guests:
Dr. Patrick Ramsey, director of the Maternal-Fetal Fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
Eugene Declercq, professor and assistant dean of community health at Boston University School of Public Health, co-author of the journal article highlighting Maternal Mortality in the U.S.
