The Louisiana Legislature has passed a resolution urging the Louisiana State Nurses Association to establish a Nursing Maternal Mortality and Preterm Births Task Force. This initiative is in response to Louisiana's alarming maternal mortality and preterm birth rates, which are among the highest in the nation. The resolution highlights the significant disparities in maternal health outcomes, particularly for black women, and emphasizes the critical role that registered nurses and nurse midwives play in improving maternal care and outcomes. The task force will be tasked with providing recommendations to enhance nursing involvement in maternal health initiatives and address the challenges faced in rural areas with limited access to obstetric care.

The task force will consist of various stakeholders, including members from the Senate and House committees on health and welfare, nursing associations, and educational institutions. It is expected to convene its first meeting by September 1, 2023, and will focus on identifying ways to increase the number of certified nurse midwives, enhance the contributions of registered nurses to maternal health, and integrate midwifery services into existing healthcare practices. The task force will submit its findings and recommendations to the relevant legislative committees before the 2024 Regular Session, after which it will be dissolved.