[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 194 (Wednesday, December 14, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SUPPORTING S. 198, DATA MAPPING TO SAVE MOMS' LIVES ACT DECEMBER 14, 
                                  2022

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 14, 2022

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 198, Data 
Mapping to Save Moms' Lives Act, to require the Federal Communications 
Commission to incorporate data on maternal health outcomes into its 
broadband health maps.
  Worldwide pregnant mothers experience health outcomes such as 
hypertension, preeclampsia, extreme nausea, and even maternal 
mortality. These health conditions impact the experiences of pregnant 
women, but for many women poor health outcomes don't end after 
pregnancy.
  In Texas, there are 14 deaths per 100,000 live births, but where are 
these deaths occurring? Is there a common theme in maternal mortality 
in the state that could be mapped in order to study the issue further?
  In the United States much of this data is tracked, but it is not 
mapped, which would assist in understanding which health outcomes are 
common in certain counties, states, and as a country.
  The Mapping Broadband Health in America platform, which is operated 
by the FCC, allows users to visualize, overlay and analyze broadband 
and health data at the national, state and county levels.
  The maps are an interactive experience, enabling detailed study of 
the intersection between connectivity and health for every county in 
the United States.
  The resulting maps can be used by both public and private sectors, 
and local communities, to identify opportunities and gaps in 
connectivity and care.
  It can help inform policy decisions, facilitate interagency 
coordination, encourage public/private partnerships and investment, and 
drive innovation, directing resources to areas with overlapping 
broadband and health needs.
  In an effort to improve maternal health in the United States, we must 
be able to study the issue across the country on a county, state, and 
country wide level.
  In 2020, 861 women died of maternal causes in the United States.
  That's 861 women who planned on living full, healthy lives and 
planned on being parents to the children they carried for 9 long 
months.
  That's 861 children who must grow up without their parent.
  That's 861 families that are forever altered.
  That's a medical system and society that has failed 861 women.
  These numbers are heart breaking. With all the advances in technology 
and improvements in our healthcare system, health outcomes continuously 
get worse for women.
  With the help of data mapping, researchers would have the opportunity 
to visualize the areas where maternal mortality is most prevalent in an 
effort to lower maternal mortality rates.
  Data mapping would show the health outcomes that are common among 
expecting mothers on local, state, and country wide levels.
  This would allow legislators to make policy decisions based on health 
outcomes. Also, medical professionals could seek treatments that 
improve the health outcomes of expecting mothers, and women could see 
where health outcomes are best for expecting mothers.
  Women's health is an issue that is very near to my heart. With 
reproductive rights being stripped from us, maternal mortality at an 
all-time high, and violence against women that has surged since the 
pandemic started, there is growing concern that women's health will 
continue to suffer on a massive scale.
  We must take action to protect not only ourselves, but also future 
generations of women who deserve the right to high quality medical 
care.
  S. 198, Data Mapping to Save Moms' Lives Act, is important because it 
would accelerate improvements in the health of moms in the United 
States. This bill directly impacts the health of women and their 
families.
  I know that this bill is important to my constituents in Houston. 
Improving the birthing experience for these women is a top priority to 
me.
  I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this critical bill 
that will direct the FCC to incorporate data on maternal health 
outcomes into its broadband health maps.

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