IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 317 

Supporting the designation of the week of April 11 through April 17, 2019 

as ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

APRIL 12, 2019 

Ms. ADAMS (for herself, Ms. UNDERWOOD, Ms. LEE of California, Ms. 

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

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

PAYNE, Ms. CASTOR of Florida, Mrs. LAWRENCE, Ms. WILSON of Florida, Mrs. DINGELL, Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, 

Mrs. BEATTY, Mr. COHEN, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Ms. WASSERMAN

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

LOWENTHAL, Ms. JOHNSON of Texas, Ms. BONAMICI, Mr. CRIST, Ms. 

SPEIER, Mr. LAWSON of Florida, Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of New 

York, Mr. POCAN, Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER, Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of 

Pennsylvania, Ms. HAALAND, Mrs. HAYES, Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

of New York, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. NADLER, Mr. CASTRO of Texas, Ms. 

MENG, Ms. PLASKETT, Ms. DELAURO, Mrs. LOWEY, Ms. SHALALA, Mr. 

VEASEY, Ms. FUDGE, Ms. DEGETTE, Mr. HORSFORD, Mr. 

KRISHNAMOORTHI, Ms. OMAR, Ms. TLAIB, Ms. BROWNLEY of California, 

Mrs. MCBATH, Mr. CUNNINGHAM, Ms. WILD, and Ms. PRESSLEY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the designation of the week of April 11 through 

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

Whereas Congress recognizes ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’ 

to bring national attention to the maternal health crisis 


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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 three 

to four times as likely to die from pregnancy-related 

causes as White mothers; 

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; 


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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; 

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 House of Representatives recog2 nizes— 

3 (1) that Black women are experiencing high, 

4 disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and 

5 morbidity in the United States; 

6 (2) that the alarmingly high rates of maternal 

7 mortality among Black women are unacceptable; 

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

9 of systemic and structural racism, Congress must 

10 work toward ensuring that the Black community 

11 has— 

12 (A) adequate housing; 


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1 (B) transportation equity; 

2 (C) nutritious food; 

3 (D) clean water; 

4 (E) environments free from toxins; 

5 (F) fair treatment within the criminal jus6 tice system; 

7 (G) safety and freedom from violence; 

8 (H) a living wage; 

9 (I) equal economic opportunity; and 

10 (J) comprehensive, affordable health care; 

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

12 outcomes, Congress must fully support and encour13 age policies grounded in the human rights and re14 productive justice frameworks that address Black 

15 maternal health inequity; 

16 (5) that Black women must be active partici17 pants in the policy decisions that impact their lives; 

18 and 

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

20 opportunity— 

21 (A) to raise national awareness of the state 

22 of Black maternal health in the United States; 

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

24 families, and communities; 

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


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1 (i) entities led by Black women; and 

2 (ii) efforts on maternal health; and 

3 (D) to enhance community organizing on 

4 Black maternal health. 

Æ 


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