#United States #Texas #Maternal Health #March of Dimes #Texas Health

Texas Receives a D Grade in Maternal Health Report Card

The March of Dimes recently released its 2025 Report Card on maternal and infant health, showing that Texas has received a disappointing D grade. This marks a significant concern for the state as it ranks 40th out of 52 in the evaluation of maternal and infant health indicators, including prematurity rates and access to maternity care.

In the year 2024, Texas reported that 43,344 babies were born preterm, corresponding to a preterm birth rate of 11.1%. Alarmingly, this rate has remained consistent compared to the previous year, indicating persistent challenges in improving maternal health outcomes.

The report highlights that while Texas ranks among the top 20 states for the lowest rates of severe maternal morbidity, it continues to grapple with several critical issues such as a 22.8% rate of inadequate prenatal care and a maternal mortality rate of 29.3 deaths per 100,000 live births. Additionally, the state is facing troubling racial disparities; for instance, the infant mortality rate stands at 5.8 per 1,000 live births, with babies born to Black mothers experiencing a significantly higher mortality rate—1.7 times more than the state average.

These findings bring into sharp focus the national maternal and infant health crisis. The United States as a whole has also earned a D+, recording its lowest grade historically, with a national preterm birth rate of 10.4%. Compounding this issue is the alarming rate for babies born to Medicaid-insured mothers, which is 11.7%, starkly contrasting with the 9.6% rate for those having private insurance. The rates for preterm births among babies born to Black mothers have soared to 14.7%, showing a substantial increase in racial disparities.

In response to these robust challenges, March of Dimes is actively addressing the underlying factors contributing to preterm births through various initiatives. Their efforts include the establishment of the Texas Collaborative Prematurity Research Center, a collaboration with The University of Texas Medical Branch and UT Southwestern Medical Center aimed at discovering innovative preventative measures.

Moreover, March of Dimes has implemented a Mom and Baby Mobile Health Center program in Houston, providing much-needed prenatal and postnatal care in underserved populations. Alicia Lee, Director of MCH Collective Impact, emphasized that these findings underscore the urgent need for improving access to basic maternity care in Texas, stating, "Every mom deserves the same chance at a healthy pregnancy, and every baby deserves a healthy start."

On the policy front, the organization is advocating for critical legislative initiatives, including the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act to sustain funding for Maternal Mortality Review Committees, the reauthorization of the PREEMIE Act to renew federal investment in research and data, and the expansion of Medicaid postpartum coverage to ensure ongoing care for mothers after childbirth.

With nearly 45.8% of births in Texas covered by Medicaid, there is an acute call for enhancing access to quality maternity care services, including doula reimbursement and maternal mental health screenings. The release of the 2025 Report Card confirms that the United States is still in a perilous situation regarding maternal and infant health. However, organizations like March of Dimes are committed to advancing research, increasing access to necessary health services, and advocating for policies that protect the health of mothers and their children.

For further details on the full 2025 Report Card, which includes state-by-state evaluations and recommendations, you can visit marchofdimes.org/reportcard.

About March of Dimes

Founded in 1938, March of Dimes is dedicated to the health of all mothers and babies, supporting research, education, and advocacy initiatives to ensure that every family has the best start possible in life. For more information, please visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org.