“As the
president of the Massachusetts Medical Society and as a gynecologist
caring for patients in a community health center setting, the reality
that pregnancy can still result in preventable deaths
of women is a heartbreaking public health issue. The medical society
appreciates the critical work being done by the state’s Maternal
Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee (MMMRC) and stands in support
of An Act to Reduce Racial Disparities in Maternal Health
(H.1949/S.1334).
“Within the
medical society, our stance is that health care is a basic human
right and the fact that disparities along racial or ethnic lines factor
into an increase in mortality is simply not acceptable.
“It is a
privilege and the obligation of physicians to deliver high-quality care
and medical guidance to all expectant mothers, and it is the
responsibility of a civilized society to ensure that every
expectant mother has equal access to that care.
“We must - as
health care providers, regulators, legislators and concerned
stakeholders - continue to study and then act to rectify issues that
lead to preventable maternal deaths in all women, especially
our patients who are disproportionately at-risk.”
- Dr. Maryanne C. Bombaugh, President, Massachusetts Medical Society
Full MMS testimony can be
read here.
Dr. Bombaugh served on the Joint Commission Task Force, which last month adopted
13 policies (effective July 2020). All accredited hospitals
will be required to abide by the new standards in an effort to
prevent maternal mortality due to hemorrhage and hypertension.
