A number of measures to address Indianas high infant and maternal mortality rates were adopted during the past legislative session. The new laws, which took effect July 1, aim to drive down the rates.

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.

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

In another step to lower its high maternal death rate, Indiana has joined the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health.

Some 53 black Hoosier moms die for every 100,000 live births. That's on par with the maternal death rate in countries like Iraq and Vietnam.

Many women don't have the resources to receive medical care before and after pregnancy.

Indiana has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country, and efforts to find out why are underway. Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the Maternal Mortality Review Committee bill recently.

The proposal would create a committee to review cases and determine cause of death.