The bill amends the Public Health Code to enhance the state's efforts in addressing racial and ethnic health disparities. Key provisions include the establishment of a comprehensive structure to monitor minority health progress, develop policies, and implement strategic plans aimed at reducing health inequities. The Department of Health is tasked with utilizing available resources to fund minority health programs, providing technical assistance to local coalitions, and developing awareness strategies for health providers. Additionally, the bill mandates the creation of a webpage to disseminate information on minority health research, resources, and data, including specific studies on obstetric racism and violence.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new requirements for the health information system to include statistics on maternal morbidity and mortality, specifically addressing obstetric violence and racism. It mandates that health facilities report maternal deaths and establishes a team to review these deaths comprehensively. The Department is also required to study the impact of public and private payment systems on perinatal care and report findings to legislative committees by 2026. The bill emphasizes the importance of data quality and the need for ongoing reporting on maternal mortality causes and recommendations for best practices in clinical settings.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 333.2227