(1) Maternal deaths are a serious public health concern and have a tremendous family and societal impact;

(2) Maternal deaths are significantly underestimated and inadequately documented, preventing efforts to identify and reduce or eliminate the causes of death;

(3) No processes exist in the State for the confidential identification, investigation, or dissemination of findings regarding maternal deaths; and

(4) There is a need to establish a Maternal Mortality Review Program to review maternal deaths and to develop strategies for the prevention of maternal deaths.