Recognizing the designation of the week of April 11 through April 17, 2021, as "Black Maternal Health Week" to bring national attention to the maternal health crisis in the United States and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women and birthing persons.

Black Maternal Health Week Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women in the United States are three to four times more likely than White women to die from pregnancy-related causes; Whereas Black women in the United States suffer from life-threatening pregnancy complications, known as maternal morbidities 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 women; Whereas Black women are 49 percent more likely than all other 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 of Black birthing people; Whereas a fair and wide distribution of resources and birth options, especially with regard to reproductive health care services and maternal health programming, are critical to closing the racial gap in maternal health outcomes; Whereas the COVID–19 pandemic has further highlighted issues within the broken health care system in the United States and the harm of that system to Black women and birthing persons by exposing— (1) increased barriers to accessing prenatal and postpartum care, including maternal mental health care; (2) lack of uniform hospital policies permitting doulas and support persons to be present during labor and delivery; (3) inconsistent hospital policies regarding the separation of the newborn from a mother that is suspected positive for COVID–19; (4) complexities in COVID–19 vaccine drug trials including pregnant people; (5) increased rates of Cesarean section deliveries; (6) shortened hospital stays following delivery; (7) provider shortages and lack of sufficient policies to allow home births attended by midwives; (8) insufficient practical support for delivery of care by midwives, including telehealth access; (9) adverse economic impact on Black mothers and families due to job loss or reduction in income during quarantine and the pandemic recession; and (10) pervasive racial injustice against Black people in the criminal justice, social, and health care systems; 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 birthing persons, including support of care led by the communities most affected by the maternal health crisis in the United States; (2) continuous health insurance coverage to support Black women and birthing persons for the full post­par­tum period up to at least one year after giving birth; and (3) policies that support and promote affordable, comprehensive, and holistic maternal health care that is free from gender and racial discrimination, regardless of incarceration: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives recognizes that— (1) Black women are experiencing high, disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and morbidity in the United States; (2) the alarmingly high rates of maternal mortality among Black women are unacceptable; (3) in order to better mitigate the effects of systemic and structural racism, Congress must work toward ensuring that the Black community has— (A) safe and affordable housing; (B) transportation equity; (C) nutritious food; (D) clean air and water; (E) environments free from toxins; (F) fair treatment within the criminal justice system; (G) safety and freedom from violence; (H) a living wage; (I) equal economic opportunity; (J) a sustained workforce pipeline for diverse perinatal professionals; and (K) comprehensive, high-quality, and affordable health care with access to the full spectrum of reproductive care; (4) in order to improve maternal health outcomes, Congress must fully support and encourage policies grounded in the human rights and reproductive justice frameworks that address Black maternal health inequity; (5) Black women and birthing persons must be active participants in the policy decisions that impact their lives; (6) in order to ensure access to safe and respectful maternal health care for Black birthing people, Congress must pass the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021 (H.R. 959/S. 346); and (7) Black Maternal Health Week (A) to raise national awareness of the state of Black maternal health in the United States; (B) to amplify the voices of Black women and birthing persons, families, and communities; (C) to serve as a national platform for— (i) entities led by Black women; and (ii) efforts on maternal health; and (D) to enhance community organizing on Black maternal health.

Summary: This resolution recognizes the opportunity for Black Maternal Health Week to raise national awareness of the state of Black maternal health in the United States.