BOSTON (WWLP) - A task force in charge of maternal health care access and birthing patient safety held its first meeting, working to address skyrocketing rates of severe maternal morbidity in Massachusetts. Last year, the legislature passed landmark maternal health legislation, including the crea tion of this task force, to assess and shape the maternal care landscape and its accessibility in the Bay State. The group's goals include expanding options for facilities where patients can safely give birth, addressing gaps in the healthcare workforce, and increasing access to midwifery.  "We face a maternal health crisis, both here in the commonwealth and nationally, and it's a crisis that is characterized by stark racial inequities in morbidity and mortality," said Task Force Co-Chair Alecia McGregor. Research has consistently shown that providing more care options for birthing people leads to better health outcomes. One Department of Health official spoke to the importance of ensuring facilities and medical professionals are integrated into the community where pregnancy and infancy take place. "It's not about putting midwives in the system, it's not about opening some birth centers, it's about integrating birth in the community as an option for families," said Task Force Co-Chair Cristina Alonso. The idea behind community-based care is to ensure continued care for new parents and babies and could lead to reduced rates of postpartum depression. Local News Headlines Springfield man charged with sexually assaulting minor in Somers What is causing the decline of the honey bee population? Springfield officials work together to address federal education funding Mass. lawmakers shift climate plan under Trump WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. ...read more read less