August 16, 2019
Washington, DC -- Ted L. Anderson, MD, PhD, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), released the following statement regarding the announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that 24 awards, supporting 25 states, were made for the Enhancing Reviews and Surveillance to Eliminate Maternal Mortality (ERASE MM) Program:
Legislation signed into law in December 2018 funds maternal mortality review committees
“The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists applauds the CDC for moving quickly to award states the funding for their important work to eliminate preventable maternal mortality. The awards—ranging from $150,000 to $600,000—will help maternal mortality review committees (MMRCs) identify and understand the causes of maternal deaths, determine what interventions will have the most impact, and implement these initiatives.
“The Preventing Maternal Deaths Act, a years-long legislative priority for ACOG that was signed into law last December, authorized the funding of these awards. Maternal mortality review committees are crucial to reversing our country’s rising maternal mortality rate and play an essential role in the development of local strategies to eliminate maternal deaths by addressing health disparities and treatment for common pregnancy-related conditions that can be life threatening.
“There is overwhelming support in the states for maternal mortality review committees; 47 states and the District of Columbia now have MMRCs. This demonstrates a concerted, dedicated effort to ensure that childbirth is made safer in this country.
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