Texas lawmakers do little to address pregnancy-related deaths

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Texas lawmakers do little to address pregnancy-related deaths

By MEREDITH HOFFMAN, ASSOCIATED PRESS AUSTIN, Texas — Jun 4, 2017, 9:43 AM ET

Lawmakers in Texas largely failed to take any significant action to address the state's skyrocketing rate of pregnancy-related deaths just months after researchers found it to be the highest in not only the U.S., but the developed world.

Legislators introduced proposals to address the issue after a University of Maryland-led study found that the state's maternal mortality rate doubled between 2010 and 2012. But several key measures didn't even make it to a vote, falling victim to Republican infighting over other issues.

"We had a chance to move the needle and we really failed to do so," said state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, a Republican from the town of Brenham, west of Houston. "Certainly, as we develop in medicine, we can do better to take care of women in today's society versus past societies. I'm very disappointed."

Because this year's session has ended, lawmakers will have to wait until they reconvene in 2019 to address the issue.

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Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/texas-lawmakers-make-moves-address-pregnancy-deaths-47822649

[dlk]

1. Republican Policies are Hazardous to Women's Health

The facts reveal that Republican policies in Texas jeopardize pregnant women's health, safety, and very lives. Very often, religious reasons are given. Two questions need to be asked. First, what religion promotes the harm of pregnant women? Second, why do Republicans want to harm women?