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 impor-
tance 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 Flor-
ida, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Ms. BARRAGA´N, Mr. THOMPSON of Mis-
sissippi, 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 na-
tional 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 life- 
threatening pregnancy complications twice as often as 
White women; 
Whereas United States maternal mortality rates are the high-
est in the developed world and are increasing rapidly; 
Whereas the United States has the highest maternal mor-
tality rate among affluent countries because of the dis-
proportionate 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 se-
vere 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 de-
terminants of health inequities experienced by Black 
women in America significantly contribute to the dis-
proportionately 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 ma-
ternity care and in policies that support and promote af-
fordable, comprehensive, and holistic maternal health 
care that is free from gender and racial discrimination: 
Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, 
SECTION 1. THE IMPORTANCE OF IMPROVING BLACK MA-
TERNAL HEALTH. 
The House of Representatives recognizes that— 
(1) Black women are experiencing high, dis-
proportionate rates of maternal mortality and mor-
bidity in the United States; 
(2) the alarmingly high rates of maternal mor-
tality among Black women is unacceptable; 
(3) Congress must work toward ensuring that 
the Black community has adequate housing, trans-
portation equity, nutritious food, clean water, envi-
ronments free from toxins, fair treatment within the 
criminal justice system, safety and freedom from vio-
lence, a living wage, and equal economic oppor-
tunity; 
(4) in order to improve maternal health out-
comes, Congress must fully support and encourage 
policies grounded in the human rights framework 
that addresses Black maternal health inequity; 
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•HRES 818 IH 
(5) Black women must be active participants in 
the policy decisions that impact their lives; and 
(6) ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’ is an oppor-
tunity to increase attention of the state of Black ma-
ternal health in the United States, amplify the voices 
of Black women and families, serve as a national 
platform for Black-women-led entities and efforts on 
maternal health, and enhance community organizing 
on Black maternal health. 
SEC. 2. BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK. 
The House of Representatives recognizes the signifi-
cance of ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’. 
Æ 
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