Supporting the designation of the week of April 11 through April 17, 2025, as the eighth annual "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. 332
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-14: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-21T16:36:20Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 332) supports designating the week of April 11 through April 17, 2025, as the eighth annual "Black Maternal Health Week." It aims to raise national awareness about the maternal and reproductive health crisis in the United States, focusing on reducing high rates of maternal death and serious health complications (morbidity) among Black women and birthing people. The resolution highlights disparities driven by systemic inequities and calls for action to address them.
Key Provisions
- Background and Statistics: The resolution outlines data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), noting that Black women are 2-3 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women. It reports U.S. maternal mortality rates (e.g., 18.6 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023) as the highest among wealthy nations, with Black women's rates rising to 50.3 per 100,000 in 2023 while declining for other groups. It also covers higher risks of premature births, low birth weight infants, cesarean sections, and preventable deaths (over 80% of pregnancy-related deaths).
- Contributing Factors: It identifies structural racism, gender oppression, social determinants of health (like poverty and access to care), maternity care deserts (areas lacking obstetric services), barriers for Black midwives and doulas (non-medical birth supporters), impacts of COVID-19, low vaccination rates, mental health access gaps, workplace discrimination, and criminal justice issues (e.g., shackling during labor or criminalizing miscarriages).
- Recognitions and Calls to Action: The House recognizes the unacceptability of these disparities and urges Congress to address systemic racism through policies ensuring safe housing, transportation, nutrition, clean environments, economic opportunities, and comprehensive health care. It supports human rights-based frameworks for reproductive and birth justice, active involvement of Black women in policy-making, and passage of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act (a proposed law to improve maternal care). It promotes Black Maternal Health Week as a platform to amplify community voices, invest in Black-led solutions, and enhance funding for maternal health organizations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws. It expresses congressional support and encourages future legislative action but does not enact any mandates or amendments.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Raises public awareness of racial disparities in maternal health, potentially encouraging better access to prenatal, postpartum, and mental health care for Black women and birthing people. It may influence community organizing and reduce stigma around issues like reproductive justice.
- On Government Agencies: Prompts agencies like the CDC and Department of Health and Human Services to prioritize data collection and equity in maternal health programs. It could lead to increased funding for community-based care and support for policies extending postpartum insurance coverage.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it underscores U.S. maternal mortality as a global outlier among developed nations, potentially affecting perceptions of U.S. health policy abroad.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Black Women and Birthing People: Primary focus, as the resolution addresses their disproportionate health risks and calls for equitable care.
- Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. (BMMA): Recognized as the founder of Black Maternal Health Week, with emphasis on amplifying their leadership and community-driven efforts.
- Health Care Providers and Community Organizations: Includes Black midwives, doulas, perinatal workers, and Black-led groups providing maternal and reproductive services, who face barriers to licensure and funding.
- Congress and Policymakers: Urged to pass related legislation like the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act and support broader equity policies.
- Low-Income and Rural Communities: Highlighted for facing higher risks due to care deserts and economic barriers.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: References the 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade (a Supreme Court decision that previously protected abortion rights) as exacerbating reproductive oppression for Black women, but the resolution itself has no legal force. It advocates for policies free from discrimination, including in prisons, aligning with broader civil rights protections under the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause.
- Constitutional: Emphasizes human rights and reproductive justice, touching on due process and equal protection by addressing racial and gender inequities in health care, without challenging specific constitutional provisions.
- Political: Introduced by a diverse group of House members (primarily Democrats), it signals bipartisan potential for maternal health reforms but highlights partisan divides on reproductive rights. As a resolution, it fosters dialogue on systemic racism and could build momentum for binding legislation, influencing elections and public policy debates on health equity.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (54)
Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13], Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3] and 4 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-14: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-04-14: Submitted in House
- 2025-04-14: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Supporting the designation of the week of April 11 through April 17, 2025, as the eighth annual "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 2025-04-14 — PDF (8 pages)