BOISE, Idaho — About two dozen people affiliated with the SW Idaho chapter of the National Organization for Women marched through downtown Boise Friday afternoon to raise awareness about the "growing crisis in maternal healthcare."
"This is not the Idaho I grew up in," chapter president Cindy Thorngren said.
Thorngren said they are pushing for lawmakers to bring back the Maternal Mortality Review Committee. Idaho is the only state without a committee because of a July sunset clause included in legislation.
"That's the only thing that tells us what happens when people get pregnant and have babies," Thorngren said. "If mothers die within that following year, we don't know."
A recent Idaho Kids Covered report states more moms and babies are dying, with Idaho's maternal mortality rate going up 121.5% over two years. It also shows the infant mortality rate went up 18% during that period.
Thorngren said the group also wants the legislature to reverse Idaho's near-total abortion ban and increase Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 1 year. Idaho NOW has a legislative committee that works with lawmakers on policies about women's health in Idaho.
"If we find something that's going on that we want to talk about, then we're going to come down, and we're going to make people aware again," Thorngren said.
Idaho NOW member Julia Christensen agrees.
"We're doing what we can to let people know that we're here, and we're fighting for them," she said.
The 2024 legislative session starts on Jan. 8.
Watch more Local News:
See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist:
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET NEWS FROM KTVB:
Download the KTVB News Mobile App
Apple iOS: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Watch news reports for FREE on YouTube: KTVB YouTube channel
Stream Live for FREE on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching 'KTVB'.
Stream Live for FREE on FIRE TV: Search ‘KTVB’ and click ‘Get’ to download.