A resolution recognizing March 14, 2025, as "Black Midwives Day" and the longstanding and invaluable contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the United States.
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 128
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-14: Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S1781-1782)
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-23T20:20:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate resolution (S. Res. 128) aims to officially recognize March 14, 2025, 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 care, raising awareness about health inequities, and promoting community-driven solutions to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity, particularly among Black women.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes a detailed preamble outlining the context of maternal health challenges, followed by specific actions for the Senate:
- Recognition of the Day: Declares March 14, 2025, as Black Midwives Day to focus on awareness, activism, education, and community building around Black maternal health.
- Encouragement for Government Action: Urges federal, state, and local governments to support initiatives that diversify the perinatal workforce (healthcare providers focused on pregnancy and childbirth) and increase access to culturally appropriate maternal care.
- Commitment to Policy Solutions: Pledges Senate collaboration with stakeholders to develop policies promoting health equity, tackling systemic racism, and advancing Black midwifery.
- Calls for Specific Support Measures:
- Increased funding for education, training, and access to Black mentors (preceptors) in midwifery.
- Removal of barriers to Black mentors, financial support for students and mentors, and mentorship programs.
- Recognition of midwives from all training paths to ease accreditation issues.
- Promotion of Autonomous Practice: Encourages authorization of independent midwifery practice based on full training scope.
- Expansion of Coverage: Advocates for funding in TRICARE (military health insurance) and Medicaid (public health insurance for low-income individuals) to cover midwifery services across all training paths.
- Destigmatization and Decriminalization: Urges steps to normalize and legalize midwifery in various settings (homes, birth centers, clinics) chosen by the pregnant person.
- Acknowledgment of Contributions: Recognizes the invaluable role of Black midwives in maternal and infant health, despite historical persecution and suppression.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no direct changes to existing laws or regulations. It serves as a symbolic statement expressing the Senate's position and encouraging voluntary actions, rather than enacting enforceable mandates. However, it could influence future legislation by highlighting issues like overregulation of midwifery and barriers to culturally competent care.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: May prompt federal agencies (e.g., Department of Health and Human Services) and state health departments to prioritize funding and policy reforms for maternal health, potentially leading to expanded training programs and reduced regulatory barriers. It could also affect how Medicaid and TRICARE allocate resources for midwifery services.
- On Citizens: Black women and families may gain greater awareness and access to culturally sensitive care, potentially lowering maternal mortality rates (currently 50.3 per 100,000 live births for Black women vs. lower rates for other groups) and improving outcomes in maternity care deserts (areas lacking birthing facilities). Broader benefits include reduced preterm births, fewer medical interventions, and cost savings in healthcare.
- On International Relations: References United Nations recommendations on racial disparities in reproductive health could align U.S. policy with global human rights standards, enhancing the country's image on health equity issues without direct diplomatic changes.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Black Midwives and Perinatal Workforce: Directly honors their contributions and calls for support to increase their numbers and autonomy, addressing historical suppression.
- Black Birthing People and Families: Benefits from improved access to trust-based, culturally competent care to combat disparities in mortality, morbidity, and mistreatment in healthcare settings.
- Government Entities: Federal (e.g., Congress, health agencies), state, and local governments are encouraged to act on funding, regulation, and equity initiatives.
- Healthcare Providers and Organizations: Includes doulas (non-medical birth supporters), obstetricians, pediatricians, and groups like the National Black Midwives Alliance, which could see expanded roles and collaborations.
- Communities in Maternity Care Deserts: Rural and underserved areas, affecting over 2.2 million women, may experience better service availability.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: While non-binding, it underscores the need to address discriminatory barriers (e.g., criminalization of direct-entry midwifery, a non-medical training path), potentially supporting legal challenges to overregulation under equal protection principles. It promotes integration of midwifery into the healthcare system without mandating changes.
- Constitutional Implications: Aligns with the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment by emphasizing efforts to reduce racial and gender-based health inequities, including structural racism's role in maternal outcomes. It does not raise constitutional concerns as it is advisory.
- Political Implications: Signals bipartisan or cross-aisle support for reproductive justice and birth equity, potentially galvanizing advocacy for related bills on maternal health funding. It ties into broader movements against systemic racism in healthcare, referencing U.N. critiques, and could influence election-year discussions on public health disparities.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-14: Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S1781-1782)
- 2025-03-14: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Recognizing March 14, 2025, as Black Midwives Day and the longstanding and invaluable contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the United States. — issued 2025-03-14 — PDF (8 pages)