Supporting the recognition of March 14, 2026, as "Black Midwives Day" and the longstanding and invaluable contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the United States.

Bill Number: H.Res. 1120
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Health
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-03-17: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Last Updated: 2026-03-23T20:20:31Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 1120) aims to recognize March 14, 2026, as "Black Midwives Day" to honor the historical and ongoing contributions of Black midwives to improving maternal and infant health in the United States. It highlights the role of midwifery in addressing racial disparities in maternal health outcomes, such as higher mortality rates among Black women, and promotes awareness, activism, and community-driven solutions.

Key Provisions

The resolution includes a detailed preamble outlining the context of maternal health challenges, followed by specific actions for the House of Representatives:

Supports the official recognition of "Black Midwives Day."
Encourages federal, state, and local governments to address racial disparities in maternal health by diversifying the perinatal workforce (healthcare providers focused on pregnancy and childbirth) and increasing access to culturally appropriate care.
Commits the House to collaborate with stakeholders on policies promoting health equity, tackling systemic racism, and advancing Black midwifery.
Calls for:
Increased funding for education, training, and access to Black mentors (preceptors) in midwifery.
Removal of barriers to these mentors and financial support for students and preceptors.
Mentorship programs to sustain Black midwifery.
Recognition of midwives trained through all pathways (e.g., traditional or formal programs) for accreditation purposes.
Encourages authorization of independent practice for all midwives based on their training.
Promotes funding for TRICARE (military health insurance) and Medicaid (government health program for low-income individuals) to cover midwife-provided maternity care across training pathways.
Urges destigmatization and decriminalization of midwifery in various settings (e.g., homes, birth centers) chosen by the pregnant person.
Recognizes the invaluable contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no direct changes to existing laws or regulations. It expresses congressional support and recommendations but lacks enforcement mechanisms, relying instead on encouragement for future policy development.

Potential Impacts

On government agencies: May prompt agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services (which oversees Medicaid and maternal health programs) to prioritize funding and initiatives for midwifery training and culturally competent care, potentially influencing budget allocations and program designs.
On citizens: Could raise public awareness of maternal health disparities, encouraging Black women and families to seek culturally sensitive care, and support broader access to midwives, which research shows reduces complications, costs, and interventions during childbirth. It addresses "maternity care deserts" (areas lacking obstetric services), potentially improving outcomes in underserved communities.
On international relations: Indirectly aligns with United Nations recommendations (from bodies like the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination) on reducing racial disparities in reproductive health, enhancing the U.S. image in global human rights discussions without creating formal obligations.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Black midwives and the perinatal workforce: Benefits from calls for training, funding, and barrier removal, potentially increasing their numbers and professional recognition.
Black women and families: Gains from emphasis on culturally competent care to reduce maternal mortality (e.g., 44.8 deaths per 100,000 live births for Black women vs. lower rates for others) and morbidities (life-threatening complications).
Healthcare providers and systems: Includes doulas (non-medical birth supporters), obstetricians, and community health workers, who are encouraged to integrate with midwifery for holistic care.
Government entities: Federal (e.g., Congress, military health programs), state, and local levels are urged to act on equity and funding.
Communities in maternity care deserts: Over 2.3 million women in such areas could see improved access to services.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: No enforceable changes, but it advocates decriminalizing certain midwifery practices, which could influence future legislation to ease regulations on direct-entry midwives (those trained outside traditional medical schools). It references preventable maternal deaths tied to access barriers, potentially supporting lawsuits or advocacy against discriminatory practices.
Constitutional: Aligns with equal protection principles under the 14th Amendment by addressing systemic racism and health inequities, without raising conflicts.
Political: Symbolically advances reproductive justice and birth equity frameworks, fostering bipartisan or cross-committee collaboration (referred to Energy and Commerce, and Armed Services committees). It underscores political momentum for health equity post-2024 CDC data on disparities, but as a resolution, its impact depends on broader legislative follow-through.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]

Recent Actions

2026-03-17: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2026-03-17: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2026-03-17: Submitted in House
2026-03-17: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

Supporting the recognition of March 14, 2026, as "Black Midwives Day" and the longstanding and invaluable contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the United States. — issued 2026-03-17 — PDF (8 pages)