Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee

The Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee (MMMRC) is a 17-member multidisciplinary committee. Chapter 34, Texas Health and Safety Code, 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).  


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

Below are the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee (MMMRC) public meeting dates, agenda, approved minutes, and webcast links. The first public meeting of the MMMRC was held on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. DSHS posts meeting dates. agenda, approved meeting minutes, and webcasts when they become available.

Date

Agenda

Approval Minutes

Webcast Recording

Friday, March 22, 2024

Agenda-22Mar24

   

Friday, December 8, 2023

Agenda-8Dec2023

 

Webcast-8Dec2023

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Agenda-7Sept2023

In process

Webcast-7Sept2023

Friday, June 2, 2023

Agenda-2June2023

In process

Webcast-2June2023

Friday, March 3, 2023

Agenda-3Mar2023

In process

Webcast-3Mar2023

Friday, December 9, 2022

Agenda-9Dec2022

In process

Webcast-9Dec2022

Friday, September 2, 2022

Agenda-2Sept2022

Minutes-2Sept2022

Webcast-2Sept2022

Friday, June 3, 2022

Agenda-3June2022

Minutes-3Jun2022

Webcast-3June2022

Friday, March 4, 2022

Agenda-4Mar2022

Minutes-4Mar2022

Webcast-4March2022

Friday, December 3, 2021

Agenda-3Dec2021

Minutes-3Dec2021

Webcast-3Dec2021

Friday, September 10, 2021

Closed meeting

Closed meeting

Closed meeting

Friday, June 4, 2021

Agenda-4June2021

Minutes-4Jun2021

Webcast-4June2021

Friday, March 5, 2021

Agenda-5Mar2021

Minutes-5Mar2021

Webcast-5Mar2021

Friday, December 11, 2020

Agenda-11Dec2020

Minutes-11Dec2020

Webcast-11Dec2020

Friday, September 18, 2020

Agenda-18Sept2020

Minutes-18Sept2020

Webcast-18Sept2020

Friday, March 6, 2020

Agenda-6Mar2020

Minutes-6Mar2020

Webcast-6Mar2020