Bipartisan leaders on the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday sent letters to six federal agencies requesting summaries of their efforts to address maternal morbidity and mortality rates in the U.S.

Pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. have increased by more than 100 percent since 1987, from 7.2 deaths per 100,000 live births to 18 deaths per 100,000 in 2014, according to the letters.

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Leaders on the House panel sent the requests to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Indian Health Service and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health.

The letters emphasized disproportionate maternal mortality rates among black mothers.

“While maternal mortality rates have been increasing in the United States in recent years, since 1950, black mothers have continued to die at three to four times the rate of white mothers, representing one of the widest racial disparities in women’s health,” the letters state. Earlier this month, Reps. Lauren Underwood Lauren UnderwoodObama announces first wave of 2020 endorsements The Hill's Coronavirus Report: GoDaddy CEO Aman Bhutani says DC policymakers need to do more to support ventures and 'solo-preneurs'; Federal unemployment benefits expire as coronavirus deal-making deadlocks The Hill's Coronavirus Report: iBIO Chairman and CEO Thomas Isett says developing a safe vaccine is paramount; US surpasses 150,000 coronavirus deaths with roughy one death per minute MORE (D-Ill.) and Alma Adams Alma Shealey AdamsCoronavirus Report: The Hill's Steve Clemons interviews Rep. Lauren Underwood Congresswoman accidentally tweets of death of Rep. John Lewis, who's still alive Help reverse devastating health disparities by supporting the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act MORE (D-N.C.) announced the formation of the Black Maternal Health Caucus.

“This is an important first step, and we are interested in exploring additional efforts that may be underway to further improve reporting, data collection, and activities related to reducing maternal morbidity and mortality,” the committee leaders added in the letters.

The letters were signed by Committee Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. Frank Joseph PallonePharma execs say FDA will not lower standards for coronavirus vaccine Dem chairmen urge CMS to prevent nursing homes from seizing stimulus payments Federal watchdog finds cybersecurity vulnerabilities in FCC systems MORE (D-N.J.) and ranking member Greg Walden Gregory (Greg) Paul WaldenHillicon Valley: DOJ proposes tech liability shield reform to Congress | Treasury sanctions individuals, groups tied to Russian malign influence activities | House Republican introduces bill to set standards for self-driving cars OVERNIGHT ENERGY: California seeks to sell only electric cars by 2035 | EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities | House energy package sparks criticism from left and right House energy package sparks criticism from left and right MORE (R-Ore.). Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Anna Esho (D-Calif.) and subcommittee ranking member Michael Burgess Michael Clifton BurgessIgnore the misinformation: The FDA will ensure the safety of any COVID-19 vaccine House goes postal for one day GOP lawmaker calls asymptomatic testing crucial after CDC revises guidance MORE (R-Texas) also signed, as did Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairwoman Diana DeGette Diana Louise DeGette87 lawmakers ask EPA to reverse course after rescinding methane regulations Overnight Health Care: Supreme Court to hear ObamaCare arguments 1 week after election | NYC positive COVID-19 tests hit record low With Biden, advocates sense momentum for lifting abortion funding ban MORE (D-Colo.) and subcommittee ranking member Brett Guthrie Steven (Brett) Brett GuthrieIgnore the misinformation: The FDA will ensure the safety of any COVID-19 vaccine House Republicans introduce legislation to give states 0 million for elections Hillicon Valley: Tech giants poised to weather coronavirus damage | Record Facebook-FTC deal approved | Bipartisan 5G bill introduced MORE (R-Ky.)