Sepsis as a driver of excess severe maternal morbidity and mortality in the rural United States.

Obstetric sepsis is a leading cause of preventable maternal morbidity and mortality. Pregnant and postpartum patients in rural settings experience disproportionate rates of sepsis and other forms of severe maternal morbidity. Although there have been recent advances in addressing preventable morbidity and mortality from sepsis in the general adult population, combating excess rates of sepsis in the obstetric population, particularly among rural patients, will require targeted clinical and policy interventions.

How Might Patients and Physicians Use Transparent Health Care Prices to Guide Decisions and Improve Health Care Affordability?

Many Americans face high cost-sharing demands from their health insurers. While there is hope that prices for health services are becoming more and more transparent, even increased availability of price information will not always translate into optimal, equitable health and financial outcomes for patients. This commentary on a case argues why transparent pricing is an ethical imperative and identifies steps that health sector stakeholders should take to help patients and clinicians use pricing information to inform health decision making.