New York State will create a Maternal Mortality Review Board and develop racial bias training and education programs for hospitals, based on a series of recommendations provided by a State Task Force to Governor Andrew Cuomo on March 12. The report finds that New York ranks 30th in the nation in maternal mortality, with an increase in deaths per 100,000 live births from 15.4 deaths in 2001-2003 to 19.6 deaths during 2014-2016. The report notes that, nationwide, the mortality rate more than doubled during this time frame. The Task Force finds “clear racial disparities” in maternal mortality, noting that two-thirds of all prenatal related deaths in New York during 2012-2014 involved cesarean section deliveries. Recommendations include developing a comprehensive data warehouse on perinatal outcomes; providing equitable reimbursement for midwives; a loan-forgiveness program to encourage providers in training to work in women’s health; and convening an expert panel on optimizing postpartum care across New York. The report from the New York State Taskforce on Maternal Mortality and Disparate Racial Outcomes is available at www.health.ny.gov/…/docs/maternal_mortality_report.pdf