Supporting the designation of the week of April 11 through April 17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week", founded by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. (BMMA), to bring national attention to the maternal and reproductive health crisis in the United States and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women and birthing people.

Bill Number: H.Res. 1183
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Health
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-04-16: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Last Updated: 2026-04-23T08:07:13Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 1183) supports designating the week of April 11 through April 17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week", founded by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. (BMMA). It aims to raise national awareness about the maternal and reproductive health crisis in the U.S., focusing on reducing high rates of death and serious complications (mortality and morbidity) during pregnancy and childbirth among Black women and birthing people.

Key Provisions

Background Facts ("Whereas" Clauses): Highlights statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including:
Black women are 2-3 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women.
U.S. maternal mortality rates are high (e.g., 18.6 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023) compared to other wealthy countries, with rates rising for Black women post-COVID-19.
Disparities persist across income, education, and socioeconomic levels; over 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.
Contributing factors: structural racism, discrimination, maternity care deserts (areas lacking obstetric services), low vaccination rates, mental health access gaps, workplace issues, and criminal justice impacts (e.g., shackling during labor).
Core Recognition ("Resolved" Clause): The House of Representatives declares:
High maternal mortality/morbidity rates for Black women are unacceptable.
Congress should address systemic racism by promoting safe housing, transportation, nutrition, clean environments, economic equity, diverse perinatal workers (e.g., midwives, doulas), and full reproductive health care.
Supports human rights, reproductive justice, and birth justice frameworks; calls for Black women to lead policy decisions.
Urges passage of the Mombnibus Act (a proposed bundle of bills to improve maternal health) and similar legislation.
Views Black Maternal Health Week as a platform to amplify Black-led efforts, community organizing, and funding for maternal care.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

None. This is a non-binding resolution (symbolic statement of Congress's view), not a law that creates enforceable rules or allocates funds.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: May encourage agencies like CDC and Health and Human Services to prioritize data collection and equity-focused programs, but no mandates.
Citizens: Raises public awareness, potentially boosting advocacy for better prenatal/postpartum care, mental health support, and insurance coverage (e.g., 1-year postpartum). Could indirectly improve outcomes in underserved Black and low-income/rural communities.
International Relations: Minimal; focuses on domestic U.S. health disparities.
Overall: Symbolic push for policy changes, community investment, and cultural shifts in maternal care without direct fiscal or regulatory effects.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Black women and birthing people: Primary focus, addressing their disproportionate health risks.
Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. (BMMA) and Black-led organizations: Elevated as leaders in advocacy and care provision.
Health care providers: Midwives, doulas, perinatal workers facing barriers to licensure/reimbursement.
Communities of color: Impacted by care deserts, Medicaid issues, and social determinants like housing/poverty.
Congress and policymakers: Urged to support bills like the Momnibus Act.
Employers and criminal justice system: Called out for workplace accommodations and punitive practices.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: References the 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade (Supreme Court case on abortion rights) as worsening access, framing it as reproductive oppression; no legal challenges.
Constitutional: Touches on equal protection (14th Amendment) via racial inequities but remains declarative.
Political: Partisan tone (introduced by Democrats, 40+ cosponsors); emphasizes "structural racism" and "reproductive justice," potentially fueling debates on health equity, funding, and abortion access. Signals support for community-driven solutions over mandates. Referred to House Energy and Commerce Committee for review.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]

Cosponsors (41)

Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14], Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5], Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

Recent Actions

2026-04-16: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
2026-04-16: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

Supporting the designation of the week of April 11 through April 17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week", founded by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. (BMMA), to bring national attention to the maternal and reproductive health crisis in the United States and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women and birthing people. — issued 2026-04-16 — PDF (8 pages)