Office of the Arizona Governor Doug Ducey issued the following announcement on June 21.

Governor Doug Ducey joined March of Dimes, Senator Kate Brophy McGee and members of the health care community for a ceremonial signing of SB 1040, known as “Arianna’s Law.” The bill directs the Department of Health Services to gather and analyze data on the deaths of Arizona mothers during and after childbirth. SB 1040 takes its name from Arianna Dodde, a healthy mother who tragically passed away after giving birth to her third child due to childbirth complications.

“The rate of mortality for new mothers in the U.S. is the highest in the developed world. With Arianna’s Law, our state will begin collecting and analyzing more data, so we can identify solutions and reverse that trend,” said Governor Ducey. “March of Dimes does such important work. Arizona is proud to work alongside them so that mothers and babies are as healthy as possible. Thank you to Senator Brophy McGee for being a strong advocate for mothers and children and for bringing to light this important issue.”

“I’m proud to have sponsored this legislation on behalf of Arianna and her family,” said Senator Brophy McGee. “With the signing of Arianna’s Law, Arizona is taking the lead in protecting the health of mothers and babies and preventing future tragedies. I’m grateful to March of Dimes for their advocacy on behalf of mothers and children and to Governor Ducey for signing this important bill.”

Not only does the United States have the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world, it continues to rise in the United States while it declines elsewhere. Pregnancy-related deaths have more than doubled over the past 25 years. Each year, more than 700 mothers die due to pregnancy-related causes and an estimated 50,000 suffer life-threatening complications. With SB 1040, Arizona can take the lead in addressing and reversing the trend of the rising maternal mortality rate.

Original source can be found here.