Top Democrats are requesting a House hearing on the growing number of U.S. women dying during pregnancy or following childbirth.

In a letter sent to Republican leaders of the Energy and Commerce Committee on Monday, Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., the top Democrat on the committee, and Rep. Gene Green, D-Texas, the top Democrat on the health subcommittee, asked for a public hearing that would focus on rising death rates and discuss possible solutions.