III 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 154 

Recognizing the week of April 11 through April 17, 2019, as ‘‘Black Maternal 

Health Week’’ to bring national attention to the maternal health crisis 

in the Black community and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 10, 2019 

Ms. HARRIS (for herself, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. WYDEN, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr. MERKLEY, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Ms. STABENOW, Mr. BROWN, 

Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. BOOKER, Mrs. 

MURRAY, Ms. DUCKWORTH, Mr. MARKEY, and Mr. VAN HOLLEN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the week of April 11 through April 17, 2019, 

as ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’ to bring national attention to the maternal health crisis in the Black community and the importance of reducing maternal mortality 

and morbidity among Black women. 

Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention, Black mothers in the United States are 3 to 

4 times more likely than White mothers to die from pregnancy-related causes; 


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•SRES 154 IS 

Whereas Black women in the United States suffer from lifethreatening pregnancy complications, known as ‘‘maternal morbidities’’, twice as often as White women; 

Whereas maternal mortality rates in the United States are— 

(1) among the highest in the developed world; and 

(2) increasing rapidly; 

Whereas the United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among affluent countries, in part because of 

the disproportionate mortality rate of Black mothers; 

Whereas Black women are 49 percent more likely than White 

women to deliver prematurely; 

Whereas the high rates of maternal mortality among Black 

women span across— 

(1) income levels; 

(2) education levels; and 

(3) socioeconomic status; 

Whereas structural racism, gender oppression, and the social 

determinants of health inequities experienced by Black 

women in the United States significantly contribute to 

the disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality 

and morbidity among Black women; 

Whereas racism and discrimination play a consequential role 

in maternal health care, experiences, and outcomes; 

Whereas a fair distribution of resources, especially with regard to reproductive health care services and maternal 

health programming, is critical to closing the maternal 

health racial disparity gap; 

Whereas, even as there is growing concern about improving 

access to mental health services, Black women are least 

likely to have access to mental health screenings, treatment, and support before, during, and after pregnancy; 


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•SRES 154 IS 

Whereas justice-informed, culturally congruent models of care 

are beneficial to Black women; and 

Whereas an investment must be made in— 

(1) maternity care for Black women; and 

(2) policies that support and promote affordable, 

comprehensive, and holistic maternal health care that is 

free from gender and racial discrimination: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate recognizes— 

2 (1) that Black women are experiencing high, 

3 disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and 

4 morbidity in the United States; 

5 (2) that the alarmingly high rates of maternal 

6 mortality among Black women are unacceptable; 

7 (3) that, in order to better mitigate the effects 

8 of systemic and structural racism, Congress must 

9 work toward ensuring that the Black community 

10 has— 

11 (A) adequate housing; 

12 (B) transportation equity; 

13 (C) nutritious food; 

14 (D) clean water; 

15 (E) environments free from toxins; 

16 (F) fair treatment within the criminal jus17 tice system; 

18 (G) safety and freedom from violence; 

19 (H) a living wage; 


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•SRES 154 IS 

1 (I) equal economic opportunity; and 

2 (J) comprehensive, affordable health care; 

3 (4) that, in order to improve maternal health 

4 outcomes, Congress must fully support and encour5 age policies grounded in the human rights and re6 productive justice frameworks that address Black 

7 maternal health inequity; 

8 (5) that Black women must be active partici9 pants in the policy decisions that impact their lives; 

10 (6) that ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’ is an 

11 opportunity— 

12 (A) to raise national awareness of the state 

13 of Black maternal health in the United States; 

14 (B) to amplify the voices of Black women, 

15 families, and communities; 

16 (C) to serve as a national platform for— 

17 (i) entities led by Black women; and 

18 (ii) efforts on maternal health; and 

19 (D) to enhance community organizing on 

20 Black maternal health; and 

21 (7) the significance of April 11 through April 

22 17, 2019, as ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’. 

Æ 


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