Transcript Highlights:

• mortality.
• mortality.
• mortality.
• had a 7% increase in total mat maternal had a 7% increase in total mat maternal mortality<04:02:
• maternal maternal mortality<04:03:25.239> the<04:03:25.600> numbers<04:03:26.600> are

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you talk a little bit about the maternal and infant mortality rate in Nebraska?
• Actually, Senator Glenn Meyer has the worst numbers for maternity care deserts in the state.
• And then infant mortality, which is infant death, and the regular mortality rate for moms, is one of
• Is there any way that we are getting reports to say here's how this has impacted maternal health and
• Our mortality and morbidity rates and births are really kind of shameful.

Bills: LB878, LB958, LB958A, LB762, LB1187, LB966, LB929, LB962, LB1209, LB937A, LB962A, LB1050, LB1050A, LB965, LB1022, LB753, LB788, LB913, LB1055, LB1195, LB429, LB721, LB722, LB727, LB745, LB749, LB778, LR293, LR296, LR422, LR495, LR496, LR497, LR498, LR499, LR500, LR501, LR502, LR503, LR504

Keywords: paid parental leave, state employees, workplace benefits, family support, economic impact, Medicaid, Medical Assistance Act, home and community-based services waiver, HCBS waiver, waiver participant, assessment tool, clinical interviewing, service tier, retroactive coverage, doula, doula reimbursement, maternal health, prenatal care, pregnancy, birth outcomes

Transcript Highlights:

• > education,<00:34:17.440> and maternal health, girls' education, and maternal health,
• unacceptable disparities in maternal unacceptable disparities in maternal health<00:53:15.280>
• and maternal death. and maternal death.
• And it also codifies the maternal And it also codifies the maternal maternal<00:54:20.400> health
• <00:54:21.080> task<00:54:21.440> force maternal health task force maternal health

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• research shows us that infant mortality research shows us that infant mortality continues<00:13:
• maternity units in rural hospitals? maternity units in rural hospitals?
• When a rural maternity unit closes, the risk of emergencies increase and the access deteriorates.
• When a rural maternity unit closes, the risk of emergencies increase and the access deteriorates.
• Especially in the maternity ward, we need more support in those areas.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Which is the mortality tables. Right.
• Which is the mortality tables. Right.
• "It also updates the Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board to include the study and review of maternity
• Louis inquires of the bill sponsor about items in the bill that deal directly with maternal mortality
• The sponsor says maternal mortality is very near and dear to the other member's heart and that they wanted

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal for the prior day by a vote of 118-1. The rest of the session was dominated by points of personal privilege, including farewell remarks from several outgoing members. Those speeches focused on service, family, staff, veterans, law enforcement, integrity, and concerns about lobbyist influence, with members also thanking legislative assistants and recognizing guests and family members in the chamber. The chamber then took up several bills. Senate Bill 1019, dealing with hospital finance and investment authority, was amended to align workplace violence, telehealth, prior authorization, physician licensure, and Lyme disease language, then passed 110-31. Senate Bill 1572, a pensions bill affecting police retirement, MOSERS, EMPERS, and related board provisions, drew extended debate over how to handle retirement overpayments; amendments were adopted to address technical and policy issues, and the bill passed 129-14. Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1196, concerning workforce diploma programs, Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grants, workforce Pell Grants, higher education funding, and university board residency rules, was amended and passed 115-20, but its emergency clause failed 2-132. The House also granted further conference on Senate Bill 1020. Committee reports were read on several other measures, including bills recommended to pass by Fiscal Review. Later, the House began considering Senate amendments to House Bill 2508, an LLC-related bill involving certificates of good standing, court dissolution of LLCs in limited circumstances, and a St. Louis County property-management affidavit process for repeated ordinance violations.

Transcript Highlights:

• , um, to inform how the country is doing in maternal and child health.
• , um, to inform how the country is doing in maternal and child health.
• state of maternal child health in the country, specifically in New Hampshire currently for and I saw
• and infant mortality.
• to maternal and infant mortality. mortality. mortality.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• under the care of a certified lay midwife, there's no evidence that this practice improves infant mortality
• In fact, in Alabama, the leading risk factor for infant mortality is poverty, a very complex issue that
• At a time when we are striving to reduce infant mortality, we must not compromise the quality of care
• I practice in rural northeast Alabama in some of those maternity care deserts and in Chattanooga, Tennessee
• collaborative, working on a multidisciplinary committee to develop and implement policies promoting maternal

Bills: SB87, HB491, SB43, SB101

Keywords: midwifery, licensed midwives, State Board of Midwifery, licensure fees, professional liability insurance, complaints investigation, emergency care plan, out-of-hospital care, HB491, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school lunch, cafeteria, artificial dyes, food additives, food coloring, synthetic dyes, Red Dye No. 3, Red Dye No. 40

Transcript Highlights:

• Our maternal mortality rate, and I want to hammer this point home because we talked about it in the Senate
• Maternal mortality rate, women dying during childbirth, medical errors, number three cause of death in
• I am very focused on maternal health care.
• I want to talk just a second about maternal care.
• Came to this body, the other side of the Capitol, and people were talking about maternal mortality then

Keywords: Michael Falkender, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, IRS, taxpayer privacy, nomination process, committee hearing

Summary: The committee convened to discuss critical issues surrounding the nomination of Michael Falkender for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. This meeting included a series of remarks from committee members who expressed divergent views on Falkender's qualifications and the implications of his appointment. Senator Wyden voiced strong opposition, arguing that Falkender represents harmful policies expected to be perpetuated under the current administration, especially concerning taxpayer privacy and IRS tactics. Meanwhile, other members defended Falkender, noting his extensive experience, including a commitment to transparency in government operations if confirmed.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I could find increases is mortality.
• I just I look for the mortality rate.
• and maternity care is incredibly<01:21:05.600> important.
• trend of declining access to maternity trend of declining access to maternity care<01:21:12.000>
• Have to shut down their maternity care, they go, it affects everybody.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AHCCCS really appreciates that this bill seeks to improve maternal health care in Arizona.
• AHCCCS really appreciates that this bill seeks to improve maternal health care in Arizona.
• But I do know that maternal health care is a priority across the board, both state and federal government
• Less known are the maternal benefits of lactogenesis, the process of making milk.
• This is taking it from death by a thousand cuts to mortally wounded by 99 cuts.

Summary: The committee approved the minutes and then heard several bills. HB 2686, sponsored by Rep. Heap, would require physicians performing surgeries at outpatient surgical facilities to annually and whenever changed provide the facility a call-coverage plan, including hospital coverage if applicable, to ensure patients have a known physician contact for complications; it passed 6-0 with one not voting. HB 2051 would require AHCCCS contractors, subject to CMS approval, to cover breastfeeding and lactation services in inpatient, outpatient, home-based, and group settings; supporters described the bill as improving maternal and infant health and AHCCCS said it was neutral with an estimated $1.8 million general fund cost, and it passed 6-0 with one not voting. HB 2837, a transparency bill for municipal zoning hearings, would require speakers to disclose compensation for testimony and require certain board members or hearing officers to disclose and recuse for recent ties to entities appearing before them; it passed 6-0 with one not voting. The committee also approved HB 2875, as amended, which clarifies local authority over commercial drone delivery systems and related land-use and zoning issues, including near airports; Zipline and industry supporters backed the bill as providing regulatory clarity, and it passed 6-0 with one not voting after adoption of the amendment. HB 2324 would let cities with their own fire codes, through an intergovernmental agreement, enforce those codes on county-owned buildings in city limits, with reporting requirements to the State Fire Marshal; county and fire-management representatives supported the measure as a clarification of jurisdiction, and it passed 6-0 with one not voting. HB 2439 would exempt single-user public or semi-public cold plunges from ADEQ pool rules, but the committee adopted an amendment removing ADEQ rulemaking authority; supporters said the bill would reduce confusion and regulatory burden, while one senator opposed it over public-health concerns, and it passed 4-2 with one not voting. HB 2457 would allow utilities to build certain co-located power plants without a certificate of environmental compatibility after notice and a public comment session, which opponents said would reduce public review and transparency for power plant siting, while supporters said it would streamline power development; it passed 4-2 with one not voting. Finally, HB 2953 would cap certain nondisciplinary and disciplinary civil penalties imposed by the State Board of Pharmacy at $25,000 in specified circumstances; a supporter said it matched limits used elsewhere and gave the board authority to use nondisciplinary actions, and it passed 6-0 with one not voting. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, on the House side, there were no wins around maternal health.
• Unfortunately, on the House side, there were no wins around maternal health.
• Decker around the implementation of maternal health law, particularly for funding universal postpartum
• Decker for the Tufts Center for Maternal Health Advancement, which is led by Dr.
• Decker filed for the Tufts Center for Maternal Health Advancement.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission met to review the state budget process and discuss maternal and perinatal health funding. Members heard that the House did not adopt several maternal health amendments, including funding for community-based perinatal mental health grants, implementation of maternal health law items, private insurance coverage for midwifery care, a midwifery workforce development fund, birthing center grants, and the Tufts Center for Maternal Health Advancement. On the Senate side, several items were adopted, including funding for the Mass NOW menstrual equity program, $1 million for the Neighborhood Birth Center, and an out-of-state resident reproductive health training pilot; however, proposed funding for a midwifery workforce development fund, a health education trust fund, and the Tufts center was not adopted. Commission members discussed whether to send a letter to the conference committee. Several members emphasized that while the Senate wins were positive, the commission’s core mission is perinatal and postpartum mental health, and that the letter should note the lack of explicit support for perinatal mental health and PMAD-related needs, as well as the importance of infant mental health and the parent-infant relationship. The commission voted unanimously to send a letter to the conference committee highlighting the broader maternal health wins while urging continued investment in perinatal and postpartum supports. The meeting also covered commission vacancies and future planning. Staff reviewed open seats, including a House minority seat, several governor-appointed seats, an optional commissioner seat, and appointments for the Senate and House co-chairs. Members suggested possible representation from the Children’s Trust, families impacted by addiction, and midwifery. The commission also noted that April and June meeting minutes would be circulated for later approval, and that the legislative session is nearing its end with several pending bills related to perinatal mood disorders and postpartum issues. The meeting adjourned after no further new business.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2024, all-cause mortality, cancer death rates, and cardiovascular death rates dropped to all-time
• California currently has one of the lowest all-cause mortality rates, infant mortality rates, and highest
• maternal morbidity trends have increased between 2016 and 2023.
• And although pregnancy-related mortality has improved post-pandemic, it is still higher than it was a
• severe maternal morbidity trends have increased between 2016 to 2023.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a matter of health equity, maternal safety, and reproductive justice.
• The United States continues to have one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations
• The severe maternal...
• This legislation, as I mentioned, is a logical and necessary next step in addressing the maternal mortality
• I do also as... ...in addressing the maternal mortality crisis we face.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health heard testimony on a wide range of bills focused on environmental health, disease prevention, and access to care. Major topics included restricting polystyrene use, creating a pancreatic cancer awareness and early-detection initiative, improving indoor air quality through a task force and new regulations, expanding access to epinephrine in public places, improving access to health care for people with long COVID, creating an OBGYN loan repayment program for underserved areas, expanding access to hygiene products, modernizing licensure for dietitians and nutritionists, updating school postural screening requirements, and restricting harmful diet pills and muscle-building supplements. Several legislators also testified in support of their own bills, including measures on menstrual product access and ingredient disclosure, and surgical smoke protections. Testimony on the polystyrene bill emphasized local municipal bans and the need to reduce plastic pollution. Pancreatic cancer advocates and patients described the disease’s low survival rate, the difficulty of early diagnosis, and the need for an awareness campaign and implementation of commission recommendations. Indoor air quality supporters from environmental justice groups, public health organizations, and residents described asthma, mold, pollution, and the need for a task force with technical expertise; some witnesses urged adding remediation professionals to the task force. On epinephrine access, family members of a man who died after a bee sting and an allergy organization stressed that anaphylaxis can be sudden and fatal and that stock epinephrine in public venues could save lives. Long COVID advocates said the condition affects hundreds of thousands of residents and called for better surveillance and access to care, with a request to include MECFS in the bills’ scope. Other testimony focused on workforce and equity issues. Supporters of the OBGYN loan repayment bill said it would help address maternal health disparities and provider shortages, especially in rural and underserved communities. Hope and Comfort described widespread hygiene insecurity and a long waiting list for basic products, urging a task force to study statewide solutions. Dietitians and nutritionists supported modernization of licensure to clarify standards for medical nutrition therapy while allowing broader wellness counseling. School nurses backed reducing mandatory postural screenings, arguing the current law is not evidence-based, is not reimbursed by MassHealth, and takes time from other student health needs. On the supplement bill, the industry trade group opposed restrictions as overbroad and burdensome, while a public health expert cited research linking weight-loss and muscle-building supplements to serious harms and urged passage. The committee also heard support for menstrual product access and surgical smoke protections, with legislators and advocates describing those bills as longstanding priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• and for the committee, we did cover a lot of ground in 2024, everything from health workforce to maternal
• We see the maternal mortality rate... ...you're dealing with gun violence or different things like that
• We see the maternal mortality rate is already exaggerated when you talk about Black and brown mothers
• …with the EMS councils there, and our innovative maternal care bucket, which will be expanding the work
• care, but also they're woven into the partnerships. ...paramedicine piece and the innovative maternal

Keywords: House Select Committee on Advancing Rural and Small Town Health Care, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, on the House side, there were no wins around maternal health.
• Decker around the implementation of maternal health law, particularly for funding universal postpartum
• Decker for the Tuff Center for Maternal Health Advancement, which is led by Dr.
• Decker filed for the Tuff Center for Maternal Health Advancement.
• Mattal just shared about great wins but missing the maternal, the PMAD aspect of the advocacy and the

Summary: The commission reviewed the House and Senate budget outcomes for maternal and perinatal health-related amendments as the budget moved into conference committee. On the House side, amendments for community-based perinatal mental health grants, implementation of maternal health law, the Tuff Center for Maternal Health Advancement, private insurance coverage for midwifery care, a midwifery workforce development fund, and birthing center grants were not adopted. On the Senate side, several items were adopted, including funding for the Mass Now menstrual equity program, a $1 million earmark for the Neighborhood Birth Center, and Senator Rausch’s out-of-state resident reproductive health training pilot, while other proposals such as the midwifery workforce fund, a health education trust fund, and the Tuff Center request were not accepted. Members discussed whether the commission should send a letter to the conference committee. Several speakers supported doing so, but emphasized that the commission’s core mission is perinatal and postpartum mental health and that the budget wins, while important, did not explicitly fund PMAD or perinatal mental health priorities. The commission voted unanimously to send a letter highlighting the broader maternal health wins while also urging continued investment in perinatal and postpartum supports. The meeting also covered commission vacancies, including a vacant House minority seat, several governor-appointed seats, an open Senate co-chair appointment, and other commissioner slots. Members suggested possible future appointees or organizational representatives, including people connected to the Children’s Trust, addiction-affected families, and midwifery. The meeting ended with brief updates on upcoming minutes, future presenters, and the end of the legislative session, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, on the House side, there were no wins around maternal health.
• Decker around the implementation of maternal health law, particularly for funding universal postpartum
• Decker for the Tufts Center for Maternal Health Advancement, which is led by Dr.
• Decker filed for the Tufts Center for Maternal Health Advancement.
• Mattel just shared about great wins but missing the maternal, the PMAD aspect of the advocacy and the

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The commission met to review the state budget process and discuss maternal and perinatal health funding. Members heard that the House did not adopt several maternal health amendments, including funding for community-based perinatal mental health grants, implementation of maternal health law items, Tufts Center for Maternal Health Advancement, private insurance coverage for midwifery care, a midwifery workforce development fund, and birthing center grants. On the Senate side, three amendments were adopted: funding for the Mass Now menstrual equity program, a large earmark for the Neighborhood Birth Center, and funding for an out-of-state resident reproductive health training pilot. Other Senate proposals, including a midwifery workforce fund, a health education trust fund, and the Tufts center request, were not adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Medicine, maternal health, public health is dynamic.
• And, in fact, we haven't gotten our maternal mortality or... numbers despite legislative requirement
• Again, reporting is, we've seen a 56% increase in maternal mortality. mortality since the passage of
• mortality, as it has since the fall of Roe, we know this.
• Mortality and Morbidity Review.

Bills: HB44, HB2200, HB1612, HB2747, HB2038, HB3717, HB1431, HB3800, HB3801, HB3560, HB3246, HB44

Keywords: HB 44, Life of the Mother Act, abortion exceptions, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, fetal survival, Texas abortion law, abortion ban, physician liability, health care provider, disciplinary action, aiding and abetting, emergency abortion, obstetric care

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Health may use deidentified data to track issues like infant mortality, maternal mortality
• The Department of Health may use deidentified data to track issues like infant mortality, maternal mortality
• , track issues like infant mortality, track issues like infant mortality, maternal<00:37:49.119><
• c> mortality,<00:37:50.480> mental<00:37:50.800> health, maternal mortality, mental
• health, maternal mortality, mental health, substance<00:37:52.160> use<00:37:52.480> across

Keywords: MS House Floor - 21 January, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Turning to the top of page 21, item 4A, improved child mortality and morbidity due to congenital syphilis
• In the middle of the page, item 8A, maternal mortality and morbidity.
• Item B, maternal mortality and morbidity, information technology.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Transcript Highlights:

• Maternal mortality, please do something about Maternal mortality.
• Please do something about maternal mortality.
• Maternal mortality, please do something about maternal mortality.

Keywords: 959, house, all