State Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, speaks during a rally outside of the Texas Department of State Health Services building in Austin on Sept. 25, 2026. The Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee met the same day, but closed its meeting to the public.

Credit: Texas Tribune / Lorianne Willett The state's delay of a highly-anticipated report of maternal deaths until after the election is going to prevent lifesaving recommendations from going into effect and lawmakers from getting a head start on writing legislation, women's health advocates said Friday.

"State leadership would rather sweep the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee's biannual report under the rug than be held accountable for the impact their policies have had on the lives of Texas moms," said state Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, at a rally outside the Texas Department of State Health Services headquarters.