For the first time, the State Department of Public Health is issuing a report on pregnancy related deaths in Illinois. 73 women die within one year of pregnancy annual in Illinois, and black women are six times more likely to die as white women. The committee tackling the issue is making several recommendations to help reduce these numbers. First Lady Diana Rauner says that includes offering more home visits to at-risk Moms.
The report also recommends that Medicaid eligibility for postpartum care be expanded from 60 days to 1 year after delivery.