IV 

115TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 818 

Recognizing ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’ to bring national attention to 

the maternal health care crisis in the Black community and the importance of reducing the rate of maternal mortality and morbidity among 

Black women. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

APRIL 11, 2018 

Ms. ADAMS (for herself, Ms. LEE, Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN, Ms. CLARKE of 

New York, Ms. KELLY of Illinois, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, Mr. KHANNA, Ms. 

MOORE, Ms. NORTON, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. 

PAYNE, Ms. CASTOR of Florida, Mrs. LAWRENCE, Ms. WILSON of Florida, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Ms. BARRAGA ́N, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Ms. VELA ́ZQUEZ, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mrs. DINGELL, Mr. HASTINGS, 

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia, Mr. CLEAVER, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, Mr. 

TED LIEU of California, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Mrs. BEATTY, Mr. LEWIS of 

Georgia, Mr. COHEN, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. MCEACHIN, Ms. 

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. GALLEGO, Mr. CUMMINGS, 

Mr. LOWENTHAL, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Ms. 

BONAMICI, Mr. CRIST, Mr. BROWN of Maryland, Mr. BEYER, Ms. 

SPEIER, Mr. LAWSON of Florida, Ms. HANABUSA, Mr. SEAN PATRICK

MALONEY of New York, Ms. SA ́NCHEZ, Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM

of New Mexico, and Mrs. TORRES) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’ to bring national attention to the maternal health care crisis in 

the Black community and the importance of reducing 

the rate of maternal mortality and morbidity among 

Black women. 


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•HRES 818 IH 

Whereas according to the Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention, Black mothers in the United States die at 

three to four times the rate of White mothers; 

Whereas Black women in the United States suffer from lifethreatening pregnancy complications twice as often as 

White women; 

Whereas United States maternal mortality rates are the highest in the developed world and are increasing rapidly; 

Whereas the United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among affluent countries because of the disproportionate death rate of Black mothers; 

Whereas Black women are 49 percent more likely than White 

women to deliver prematurely; 

Whereas Black women are twice as likely to suffer from severe maternal morbidity than White women; 

Whereas high rates of maternal mortality among Black 

women span across income and education levels, as well 

as socioeconomic status; 

Whereas racial disparities exist across income and education 

levels; 

Whereas structural racism, gender oppression, and social determinants of health inequities experienced by Black 

women in America significantly contribute to the disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality and 

morbidity among Black women; 

Whereas race and racism play an integral role in maternal 

health outcomes, care, and policy; 

Whereas fair distribution of resources, especially with regard 

to reproductive health care services and maternal health 


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•HRES 818 IH 

programming, is critical to closing the maternal health 

racial disparity gap; and 

Whereas an investment must be made in Black women’s maternity care and in 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, 

2 SECTION 1. THE IMPORTANCE OF IMPROVING BLACK MA3 TERNAL HEALTH. 

4 The House of Representatives recognizes that— 

5 (1) Black women are experiencing high, dis6 proportionate rates of maternal mortality and mor7 bidity in the United States; 

8 (2) the alarmingly high rates of maternal mor9 tality among Black women is unacceptable; 

10 (3) Congress must work toward ensuring that 

11 the Black community has adequate housing, trans12 portation equity, nutritious food, clean water, envi13 ronments free from toxins, fair treatment within the 

14 criminal justice system, safety and freedom from vio15 lence, a living wage, and equal economic oppor16 tunity; 

17 (4) in order to improve maternal health out18 comes, Congress must fully support and encourage 

19 policies grounded in the human rights framework 

20 that addresses Black maternal health inequity; 


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•HRES 818 IH 

1 (5) Black women must be active participants in 

2 the policy decisions that impact their lives; and 

3 (6) ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’ is an oppor4 tunity to increase attention of the state of Black ma5 ternal health in the United States, amplify the voices 

6 of Black women and families, serve as a national 

7 platform for Black-women-led entities and efforts on 

8 maternal health, and enhance community organizing 

9 on Black maternal health. 

10 SEC. 2. BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK. 

11 The House of Representatives recognizes the signifi12 cance of ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’. 

Æ 


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