Tribune event examines maternal health care in Texas

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Maternal health care in Texas is a story of feast and famine. The state has world-class medical facilities and specialists, but half of all counties lack even one maternal health care provider. Texas women are more likely to be uninsured, miss routine check-ups and die during pregnancy and childbirth than in almost any other state.

The outlook is even worse in rural Texas, where a quarter of women live more than 30 miles from the nearest provider. If Texas can’t find a way to help women get health care close to home, the ripple effects will be felt statewide.

Texas’ leaders recognize that healthy pregnancies create healthy families. But what are they doing to address these growing gaps, and the women who fall through them?

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Join The Texas Tribune at noon Tuesday, April 22 at University Medical Center in Lubbock when we’ll examine the successes and struggles of strengthening maternal health in rural Texas communities, from the people who are on the front lines, and hear about how improving women’s health outcomes helps everyone, no matter where they live.

Confirmed speakers include Lisa Dillard, director of the Maternal & Infant Health Initiative for March of Dimes West Texas and Jill Shanklin, vice president for nursing excellence at UMC Health System, Lubbock. An additional speaker will be announced soon. The event will be moderated by the Tribune’s women’s health reporter Eleanor Klibanoff.

The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

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