Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee

The Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee (MMMRC) is a 23-member multidisciplinary committee. Chapter 34, Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 34.002, directs the MMMRC to study and review: 

• Cases of pregnancy-related deaths; 
• Trends, rates, or disparities in pregnancy-related deaths and severe maternal morbidity; 
• Health conditions and factors that disproportionately affect the most at-risk populations; and 
• Best practices and programs operating in other states that have reduced rates of deaths related to pregnancy. 

Through this process, the MMMRC develops recommendations to help reduce the incidence of preventable pregnancy-related deaths and severe maternal morbidity in the state. 

Download the current member roster (PDF)(Updated 10/2024).  

About the MMMRC

Texas Health and Safety, Code Chapter 34 directs the MMMRC to study and review:

• Cases of pregnancy-related deaths;
• Trends, rates, or disparities in pregnancy-related deaths and severe maternal morbidity;
• Health conditions and factors that disproportionately affect the most at-risk populations; and
• Best practices and programs operating in other states that have reduced rates of deaths related to pregnancy.

The MMMRC uses standard methods to review identified pregnancy-associated death cases to determine cause of death and pregnancy-relatedness. For deaths determined to be pregnancy-related, the MMMRC builds consensus to determine potential preventability, contributing factors, and actionable recommendations. The MMMRC also studies state trends in maternal morbidity and mortality rates and disparities to aid recommendation development.

Through this process, the MMMRC develops recommendations to help reduce the incidence of preventable pregnancy-related deaths and severe maternal morbidity in the state.

A committee member must regularly participate in case review calls and committee meetings. Committee meetings are held in Austin or virtually at least quarterly or at the call of the DSHS Commissioner. In-person meeting participation is strongly encouraged. The MMMRC may also ask members to participate in subcommittee meetings, projects, and presentations. Committee members do not receive reimbursement for travel expenses to participate on the committee. If a member misses three consecutive meetings within a one-year period, with or without notice, the member may be removed from the committee.

For more information about the committee or the application process, contact Kobi Ajayi at MaternalHealth@dshs.texas.gov.  

Background and Purpose

The Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force was created by the 2013 Senate Bill 495, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session which added Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 34. The name of the Task Force was changed to the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee (MMMRC) by 2019 Senate Bill 750, 86th Legislature, Regular Session in alignment with the federal Preventing Maternal Deaths Act of 2018. Later in 2019, the Texas Department of State Health Services and MMMRC were awarded a Center for Disease Control and Prevention funding for the for the Enhancing Reviews and Surveillance to Eliminate Maternal Mortality (ERASE MM) Program.   

Subcommittee on Maternal Health Disparities 

In December 2018, the MMMRC established the Subcommittee on Maternal Health Disparities to further investigate factors contributing to disparities in maternal mortality. More information on the Subcommittee on Maternal Health Disparities and its activities can be found in the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee and Department of State Health Services Joint Biennial Report, December 2022. 

Meetings

DSHS posts future and past Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee (MMMRC)  meeting materials and information.

Future Meetings

Below are the future public meeting dates, venue, and agenda. DSHS posts meeting agendas when they become available.

*Dates and venue are subject to change.

Past Meetings

Below are the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee (MMMRC) approved minutes and webcast links for past meetings. The first public meeting of the MMMRC was held on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017.

Legislative Reports

• Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee and Department of State Health Services Joint Biennial Report 2024

• Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee and Department of State Health Services Joint Biennial Report Maternal Mortality Case Review Terms - June 2024

• Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee and Department of State Health Services Joint Biennial Report 2022

• Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee and Department of State Health Services Joint Biennial Report, December 2020 

• Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force and Department of State Health Services Joint Biennial Report, September 2018 

• Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force and Department of State Health Services Joint Biennial Report, July 2016 

• Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force Report, September 2014

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