It may come as a shock to hear, but Texas has the highest maternal mortality rate in the developed world and Houston has the highest maternal mortality rate in Texas. There are many factors into why our rate is so high in America. For one, we do not have universal health care, so for low income moms who are on Medicaid during their pregnancy, their insurance usually drops one month after birth in 37 states including Texas. We also do not have national maternal leave. Mothers are at the whim of their employers and their policies. We have to take into account that the maternal death rate is during pregnancy and 42 days after birth. This is a critical time for moms who are in their most vulnerable state.