Bill Text: FL S0758 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Maternal Mortality Prevention Task Force

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2019-05-03 - Died in Health Policy [S0758 Detail]

Download: Florida-2019-S0758-Introduced.html

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       Florida Senate - 2019                                     SB 758
       
       
        
       By Senator Gibson
       
       
       
       
       
       6-01222-19                                             2019758__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to the Maternal Mortality Prevention
    3         Task Force; establishing the Maternal Mortality
    4         Prevention Task Force to advise the Department of
    5         Health and make recommendations; providing for duties
    6         and membership of the task force; requiring the task
    7         force to submit a report of its findings and
    8         recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature by
    9         a specified date; providing for expiration of the task
   10         force; providing an effective date.
   11  
   12         WHEREAS, in the United States, maternal mortality rates are
   13  among the highest in the developed world, increasing by 26.6
   14  percent between 2000 and 2014, and
   15         WHEREAS, data from the Centers for Disease Control and
   16  Prevention show that more than 700 women die each year in the
   17  United States from complications related to pregnancy or
   18  childbirth, and
   19         WHEREAS, the maternal mortality rate for African-American
   20  women is nearly four times higher than that for Caucasian women,
   21  and
   22         WHEREAS, in 2015, the mortality rate in the United States
   23  was 14 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, with causes
   24  ranging from a rise in pregnancy-related medical conditions and
   25  the age of women giving birth to a lack of standardized hospital
   26  protocols, and
   27         WHEREAS, postpartum hemorrhaging, cardiomyopathy, and
   28  hypertensive disorders are the leading causes of maternal
   29  mortality in the United States, and
   30         WHEREAS, in 1996, the Florida Department of Health
   31  initiated the Florida Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review
   32  (PAMR) program to improve surveillance and analysis of
   33  pregnancy-related deaths and facilitate improvements in the
   34  overall system of care in the state, an essential piece of the
   35  solution to preventing maternal deaths, and
   36         WHEREAS, the Florida PAMR program found that the primary
   37  contributing factor to maternal deaths in the state is a lack of
   38  standardization in health care policies and procedures relating
   39  to treatment, diagnosis, knowledge or skills assessment, care
   40  coordination, referrals, transfers, and followup, all of which
   41  can lead to delays in treatment or diagnosis, and
   42         WHEREAS, the state must diligently examine and reevaluate
   43  current practices and policies and identify and immediately
   44  remedy deficiencies in such practices and policies to protect
   45  the health of all women during pregnancy, childbirth, and in the
   46  postpartum period, and to eliminate preventable maternal deaths
   47  in the state, NOW, THEREFORE,
   48  
   49  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   50  
   51         Section 1. (1) A task force is established adjunct to the
   52  Department of Health to advise the department and, except as
   53  otherwise provided in this section, shall operate consistent
   54  with s. 20.052, Florida Statutes. The task force shall be known
   55  as the “Maternal Mortality Prevention Task Force.” The
   56  Department of Health shall provide administrative and staff
   57  support services relating to the functions of the task force.
   58         (2) The purposes of the task force are to evaluate methods
   59  to improve the effectiveness of current practices, procedures,
   60  programs, and initiatives in reducing the rate of preventable
   61  maternal deaths; identify any deficiencies; and recommend
   62  changes to existing laws, rules, and policies needed to
   63  implement the task force’s recommendations. At a minimum, the
   64  task force shall evaluate and consider the following to assist
   65  in developing its recommendations:
   66         (a) Specific circumstances surrounding pregnancy-related
   67  deaths and other relevant data and information reported in the
   68  state.
   69         (b) Continuing education and training requirements for
   70  health care providers relating to maternal care and the
   71  identification of at-risk patients before and during pregnancy
   72  and after childbirth.
   73         (c) Education of a patient and the patient’s family members
   74  before and during pregnancy and after childbirth relating to the
   75  importance of stabilizing chronic medical health issues, family
   76  planning, substance abuse, and mental health.
   77         (d) Health care provider reporting requirements for adverse
   78  medical incidents.
   79         (e) The protocols, tools, medications, techniques, and
   80  guidelines used in facilities by health care providers to
   81  identify, prevent, and manage obstetric emergencies, including,
   82  but not limited to, postpartum hemorrhaging.
   83         (f) The factors leading to racial and ethnic disparities in
   84  maternal health outcomes, and the potential community-based
   85  solutions to address such disparities.
   86         (3) The task force shall consist, at a minimum, of the
   87  following members:
   88         (a) The State Surgeon General or his or her designee, who
   89  shall serve as the chair of the task force.
   90         (b) The Secretary of Health Care Administration or his or
   91  her designee.
   92         (c) Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of
   93  the Senate.
   94         (d) Two members of the House of Representatives appointed
   95  by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
   96         (e) A physician appointed by the Board of Medicine who
   97  actively practices obstetrics, gynecology, or family medicine.
   98         (f) A physician appointed by the Board of Osteopathic
   99  Medicine who actively practices obstetrics, gynecology, or
  100  family medicine.
  101         (g) An advanced practice registered nurse appointed by the
  102  Board of Nursing who actively practices as a certified nurse
  103  midwife.
  104         (h) A registered nurse appointed by the Board of Nursing
  105  who has experience in labor and delivery.
  106         (i) A licensed midwife appointed by the Council of Licensed
  107  Midwifery.
  108         (j) A mental health professional jointly appointed by the
  109  Board of Psychology and the Board of Clinical Social Work,
  110  Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling.
  111         (k) Two representatives of hospitals or facilities licensed
  112  under chapter 395, each of whom regularly provides pregnancy
  113  related services, appointed by the Secretary of Health Care
  114  Administration.
  115         (l) A representative of the Florida Pregnancy-Associated
  116  Mortality Review (PAMR) program appointed by the State Surgeon
  117  General.
  118         (m) Two representatives from stakeholder groups
  119  participating in the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative at
  120  the University of South Florida College of Public Health.
  121         (4) By December 1, 2020, the task force shall submit a
  122  report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor, the
  123  President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
  124  Representatives.
  125         (5) This section expires June 30, 2021.
  126         Section 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.