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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.
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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Idaho Legislature: Chapter 95 Maternal Mortality Review — Repealed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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