Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio were among the states cited for rates higher than the national average 5.79 per 1,000 live births.

Gov. Eric Holcomb traveled to northern Indiana Wednesday to sign new legislation that will create a state perinatal program. It aims to address Indianas high infant and maternal mortality rates.

A bill to cover doulas under Medicaid passed the Indiana legislature and was signed into law. The money for the measure, however, was stripped out of the budget in the last days of session.

Gov. Eric Holcomb has signed new legislation to make Indiana the third state to extend Medicaid coverage for doulas, who provide physical and emotional assistance for mothers.

Indiana has the seventh worst infant mortality rate and the third worst maternal mortality rate in the nation. Numerous bills this legislative session aim to address the issue.

The bill recently passed a Senate health committee to establish a Fetal Infant Mortality Review Team that would report to the Indiana State Department of Health.

Recent testimony focused on how doulas could help improve Indiana's poor infant and maternal mortality rates.

New legislation would require providers administer a verbal screen for drug, alcohol and tobacco use to pregnant women.

In 2016, 623 Indiana babies died before their first birthday. That's one of the highest rates in the nation.

Indiana spends less than $62 per resident in public health funding, according to the America's Health Rankings 2017 report.