F.D. Flam, Columnist

American Mothers Are Dying Because of the U.S. Health Care System

The U.S. has an inexcusably high maternal mortality rate.

The U.S. has some catching up to do.

Photographer: Clemens Bilan/Getty Images
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The U.S. has a weirdly high maternal death rate. It’s a symptom of a sick health care system.

The number of women dying of complications of pregnancy and childbirth is going down in all developed countries except the United States. New statistics released last week show that the U.S. maternal death rate has continued to climb, and is now four to six times higher than in many European countries.