•HRES 926 IH 
Whereas racism and discrimination play a consequential role 
in maternal health care, experiences, and outcomes; 
Whereas a fair distribution of resources, especially with re-
gard to reproductive health care services and maternal 
health programming, is critical to closing the maternal 
health racial disparity gap; 
Whereas the COVID–19 pandemic is disparately affecting the 
Black community and has further amplified existing 
health care inequities in the United States, exacerbating 
the Black maternal health crisis; 
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, treat-
ment, 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 impacted by the United States maternal health cri-
sis; and 
(2) policies that support and promote affordable, 
comprehensive, and holistic maternal health care that is 
free from gender and racial discrimination: Now, there-
fore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives recog-
nizes— 
(1) that Black women are experiencing high, 
disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and 
morbidity in the United States; 
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•HRES 926 IH 
(2) that the alarmingly high rates of maternal 
mortality among Black women are unacceptable; 
(3) that, in order to better mitigate the effects 
of systemic and structural racism, Congress must 
work toward ensuring that the Black community 
has— 
(A) adequate housing; 
(B) transportation equity; 
(C) nutritious food; 
(D) clean water; 
(E) environments free from toxins; 
(F) fair treatment within the criminal jus-
tice system; 
(G) safety and freedom from violence; 
(H) a living wage; 
(I) equal economic opportunity; and 
(J) comprehensive, affordable health care; 
(4) that, in order to improve maternal health 
outcomes, Congress must fully support and encour-
age policies grounded in the human rights and re-
productive justice frameworks that address Black 
maternal health inequity; 
(5) that Black women and birthing persons 
must be active participants in the policy decisions 
that impact their lives; and 
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•HRES 926 IH 
(6) that ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’ is an 
opportunity— 
(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 commu-
nities; 
(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. 
Æ 
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