Did Idaho stop investigating maternal deaths?

Yes.

Idaho stopped investigating pregnancy-related deaths after its Legislature allowed a law to expire but is re-creating its Maternal Mortality Review Committee.

The committee, created in 2019, analyzed the deaths and made recommendations. It ceased operating July 1, 2023, when the law creating it expired.

That made Idaho the only state without a review committee, according to the Alan Guttmacher Institute.

The committee’s latest report said Idaho’s maternal mortality rate per 100,000 live births was 40.1 in 2021, up from 18.7 in 2018.

From 2018 to 2022, Idaho’s rate was 20, below the national average of 23.2; Wisconsin’s was 13.2.

Idaho legislation signed in March created a new committee effective July 1. The state began recruiting members June 28.

The Idaho claim was made June 29 by Democrat Kristin Lyerly. She is running for the northeast Wisconsin seat vacated by Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, who resigned in April.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

KFF Health News: Idaho Drops Panel Investigating Pregnancy-Related Deaths as US Maternal Mortality Surges

Maternal Mortality Review Committee: 2021 Matneral Deaths in Idaho

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare: Maternal Mortality Review Committee

Boise State Public Radio: Idaho dissolves maternal mortality review committee, as deaths remain high

Idaho Legislature: Chapter 95 Maternal Mortality Review — Repealed

Alan Guttmacher Institute: Maternal Mortality Review Committees

Centers for Disease Control: Maternal deaths and mortality rates

Idaho Legislature: RS30898/House Bill 399

Idaho Legislature: House Bill 399

Idaho Board of Medicine: Call for Letters of Interest to serve on the Maternal Mortality Review Committee

Idaho Division of Occupational & Professional Licenses: Request for Letters of Interest to serve on the Maternal Mortality Review Committee

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