Texas state leaders are demanding answers after a viral video appeared to show a Black woman in labor left waiting for care at Dallas Regional Medical Center in Mesquite.
State Rep. Rhetta Bowers and Rep. Linda Garcia met with Mesquite city leaders and the hospital’s CEO on Tuesday morning, following the circulation of the video online. Bowers said the video, which shows the woman in visible discomfort, raised serious concerns about the treatment she received.
Like many of her constituents, Bowers said she wants to understand why the mother-to-be was reportedly forced to wait more than 30 minutes before receiving care.
“I think it’s evident that that’s what was happening,” Bowers told NBC 5 on Tuesday night. “It brought thoughts to me of my own experience in the community with an OB and gynecologist in the city that certainly worked out of that hospital. And I thought, something needs to be done. We have to talk.”
Garcia also stated that the meeting:
“As your state representative, my priority is the safety and well-being of my constituents. Our office has heard from constituents who are understandably alarmed and seeking answers. Data from the CDC in 2023 shows that Black women in the U.S. died at a rate nearly 3.5 times higher than white women around the time of childbirth. We will continue monitoring the investigation closely, maintain communication with hospital leadership, and work collaboratively to help restore trust and ensure that every person in our community receives fair and appropriate medical care.”
Dallas Regional Medical Center has launched an internal investigation into the incident.
“At Dallas Regional Medical Center, the safety, dignity and well-being of our patients are always our highest priorities,” the hospital said in a statement. “We are committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care to every person who comes through our doors, and we are reviewing this situation to understand what occurred. Due to patient privacy laws, we cannot share further details at this time, but our focus remains on ensuring that every patient receives the attentive, respectful care they deserve.”
Mesquite Mayor Daniel Alemán Jr. also attended Tuesday’s meeting and emphasized the importance of transparency.
“I’m glad we could facilitate a meeting with DRMC. We take community concerns seriously. We were able to establish the facts and discuss matters respectfully and professionally. I’m pleased DRMC was already investigating this matter to address the concerns and care of our community,” Alemán said.
Those involved have urged the public to exercise patience as the hospital’s internal review proceeds. But Bowers said Tuesday’s meeting was just the beginning.
The woman’s family shared the video with NBC 5 but declined an interview request, saying their current focus is on her recovery.
