This House resolution supports designating April 11 through April 17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week," which was founded by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. The resolution lists data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that Black women in the United States face much higher rates of pregnancy-related death and serious pregnancy complications than White women. It cites overall U.S. maternal mortality rates for 2020–2023 and notes a 2023 rate of 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births for Black women. The resolution names leading causes of maternal death (including obstetric embolism, hemorrhage, preeclampsia/eclampsia, and postpartum cardiomyopathy), says more than 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, and points to factors such as structural racism, maternal care deserts, low Medicaid reimbursements, workforce shortages, and limited access to prenatal and postpartum care.
The resolution also highlights the role of Black midwives, doulas, perinatal health workers, and community groups, and calls for investments in community-led care, continuous postpartum health coverage for at least one year, and policies that support comprehensive reproductive and maternal health care. It encourages Congress to support the Momnibus Act and other measures rooted in reproductive and birth justice. The resolution is a formal recognition and statement of priorities; it does not itself create new federal programs or funding.
If passed by the House, the resolution would publicly recognize the designated week to raise awareness and center Black-led maternal health efforts. It signals support from members of the House for addressing racial disparities in maternal health and for policy steps named in the text, such as extending postpartum coverage and investing in community-based maternal care. It does not by itself change benefits, create new services, or require expenditures.
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The sponsors and text of the resolution say Black women and birthing people face disproportionately high and often preventable rates of maternal death and severe pregnancy complications. They argue that addressing systemic and structural racism, improving social determinants of health (housing, transportation, nutrition, clean air and water), expanding access to comprehensive reproductive and maternal care, supporting Black-led perinatal workers, and extending postpartum coverage are important steps. The resolution views a national week of recognition as a way to amplify community-driven solutions, increase funding, and center affected voices.
No publicly available information.