Texas MMMRC Press Conference and People’s Hearing
Contact:
Crystal Zamarron,
Communications Director,
AUSTIN, TEXAS - Deeds Not Words, the Texas Women’s Health Caucus, birth justice advocates, reproductive rights organizers, public health experts, and community members today held a press conference and “People’s Hearing” as the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee (MMMRC) held a closed meeting that did not offer the opportunity for Texans to testify.
The Texas MMMRC met today after its announcement that the report would be delayed. The report was due for public release on September 1 and will be delayed until after the 2026 Midterm Election. We, along with many Texans, gathered to uplift stories of the state’s maternal health crisis with a press conference.
During the press conference and “People’s Hearing,” community members shared testimony directed at the committee, connected through personal storytelling, and urged the immediate release of a report that captures the full picture of Texas’ maternal health crisis by including data from 2022-2024.
The report findings would help inform evidence-based strategies to prevent future pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality. The delay of the report prevents our lawmakers from using the report findings to file related bills ahead of the 2027 legislative session. The report is not a political tool to be withheld from the public for any election reasons.
“The report impacts people no matter your age, race, or socioeconomic status, but for Black communities, which we know are highly negatively impacted, this is critical knowledge,” said Alyssa Canty, Executive Director. “Texas has four abortion bans, and the report would show how that has impacted Texans. We demand a release of the report now.”
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Deeds Not Words is a youth organizing non-profit, rooted in gender justice, that galvanizes the power of young leaders across Texas to champion a just future through leadership development, advocacy, and cultural organizing. Deeds aims to build a new generation of leaders across Texas who will advance the fight for justice, equality, and opportunity for all and are fighting for a Texas that values Reproductive Justice, Fair and Just Representation, Freedom from Violence, and the Freedom to Thrive.