Title: A 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.
Policy area: Health

Summary:
Recognizes: (1) the significance of April 11-April 17, 2018, as Black Maternal Health Week; and (2) that black women experience high, disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and morbidity.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 459 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 459

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 SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 11, 2018

  Ms. Harris (for herself, Ms. Stabenow, Mrs. Feinstein, Mrs. Murray, 
 Mrs. Gillibrand, Ms. Hirono, Ms. Warren, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Booker, Mr. 
    Merkley, Mr. Wyden, and Mr. Blumenthal) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
                          Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               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.

Whereas according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black 
        mothers in the United States die at 3 to 4 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 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 the premature delivery rate among Black women is 49 percent higher than 
        the rate among all other women;
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 the United States 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 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
    Resolved, That the Senate recognizes--
            (1) that Black women are experiencing high, 
        disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and morbidity in 
        the United States;
            (2) that the alarmingly high rates of maternal mortality 
        among Black women is unacceptable;
            (3) that Congress must work toward ensuring that the Black 
        community has adequate housing, transportation equity, 
        nutritious food, clean water, environments free from toxins, 
        fair treatment within the criminal justice system, safety and 
        freedom from violence, a living wage, and equal economic 
        opportunity;
            (4) that in order to improve maternal health outcomes, 
        Congress must fully support and encourage policies grounded in 
        the human rights framework that addresses Black maternal health 
        inequity;
            (5) that Black women must be active participants in the 
        policy decisions that impact their lives;
            (6) that ``Black Maternal Health Week'' is an opportunity 
        to increase attention of the state of Black maternal 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; and
            (7) the significance of April 11 through 17, 2018, as 
        ``Black Maternal Health Week''.
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