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Kira Johnson's death is not unique.

Pregnancy-related deaths have increased from 7.2 per 100,000 live births in 1987 to 18 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2014, according to research cited in H.R. 1318. The United States is ranked 50th globally for its maternal mortality rate and is one of eight countries in which the mortality rate has increased.

Research in the bill also states that women of color, in particular, are at a higher risk than others of dying from pregnancy complications.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention cites an abnormally significant ratio difference in pregnancy-related mortality rates by race. Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related issues than white women. During 2011-2014, the CDC reported \"considerably racial disparities in pregnancy-related mortality exist\" in its findings of 12.4 deaths per 100,000 live births for white women compared to the 40 deaths per 100,000 live births for black women.

Separately, the Brookings Institution conducted a study showing the most prevalent racial disparities within America's middle class and determined that black mothers with advanced professional degrees, such as a master's degree or higher, have a higher chance of infant mortality compared to white women whose highest education level is the 8th grade.

The causes of the gap remains unclear, but the National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine found it may be due to the way healthcare systems are organized and operated. Healthcare providers' biases, prejudices and uncertainty when treating minorities could also contribute to healthcare disparities. The study also claims patients' attitudes and behaviors play a role. A small percentage of minority patients do not trust health care professionals, according to NASEM.

U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Washington, who experienced pregnancy complications of her own, sponsored H.R. 1318, the Preventing Maternal Death Act of 2018.

In 2012, Herrera Beutler and her husband discovered they were expecting their first child -- only to be told their unborn child had Potter Syndrome, a rare disease that occurs when there is a critical lack of amniotic fluid surrounding a baby while in the uterus. It prevents the baby's kidney development, according to the National Institutes of Health.

They were told by doctors the disease was 100 percent fatal, but despite the prognosis, Herrera Beutler underwent an experimental treatment in which saline was injected to replace the amniotic fluid and help develop their unborn child's lungs.

\"As she dug more into the issue, she was saddened to learn that this crisis impacts women of color and women in rural areas even more acutely, and she redoubled her effort to get this across the finish line,\" Herrera Beutler’s communication director Angeline Riesterer told ABC News in a statement.

The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide grants to all 50 states to establish state-based maternal mortality review committees to determine why women are dying from pregnancy-related deaths. The bill also ensures that the state department of health develops a plan for ongoing health care provider education in order to improve the quality of maternal care, disseminate findings and provide disclosure information in state reports for the public.

Johnson, who created 4Kira4Moms, in honor of his wife and to advocate for improved maternal health policies and regulations, has worked with Herrera Beutler on the issue.

\"When I spoke about Kira’s story in front of Congress members, multiple members of Congress on both sides of the aisle were in tears,\" Johnson said. \"Some members who weren’t even able to meet with me in times past, signed onto the bill a week later after my testimony.\"

The bill became law in December when the president signed it.

\"PHOTO:
Courtesy Charles Johnson
PHOTO: Charles Johnson poses for a photo with his sons Charles V and Langston Johnson in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 11, 2018, after the death of his wife Kira.
>

\"Myself, an African American male from the deep South came together with a white Republican woman from Washington,\" Johnson said. \"We worked together to make this what it truly is -- a human rights issue.

\"This affects all women. I was proud the congresswoman stood shoulder to shoulder with me without backing away from acknowledging racial disparities within these stats. The fact we do come from such different worlds makes it all the better. This is a true bipartisan effort.\"

Johnson credited his wife as his motivation to move forward with his life, raising their two sons. He said she was an independent woman with \"contagious energy.\"

\"I made eye contact with this beautiful woman who was standing by the front door with her arms folded,\" Johnson said remembering when they first met at a party in 2005. \"Frankie Beverly's 'Before I Let you go' played in the background. As I was leaving the party, I stepped out of my comfort zone and sang to her, 'Before I let you go, oh, I would never, never, never...'\"

Kira, who had looked exasperated, couldn't help but smile. From there, they developed a close friendship and eventually a romantic relationship. They married in 2012.

Johnson said she was someone who \"challenged him in every aspect of his life.\" After she died, that didn't change. He was inspired to try to prevent other families from experiencing the same tragedy.

\"I thought I had a big heart until I met her -- she was just different,\" Johnson said. \"She made my life full and complete.\"

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