A resolution recognizing 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
- S.Res. 646
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-17: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S1094-1095)
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-23T20:20:41Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate Resolution (S. Res. 646) aims to officially 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 care, raising awareness about health inequities, and promoting culturally sensitive solutions to the maternal health crisis.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes a detailed preamble outlining the context of maternal health challenges and the value of Black midwifery, followed by specific actions for the Senate:
- Recognition of the Day: Designates March 14, 2026, 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 address racial disparities by supporting diverse perinatal (pregnancy and postpartum) workforces and increasing access to culturally appropriate maternal care.
- Commitment to Policy Development: Pledges Senate collaboration with stakeholders to create policies that promote health equity, combat systemic racism, and advance 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, mentorship programs, and recognition of all midwifery training paths for accreditation.
- Promotion of Midwife Autonomy: Encourages authorization of independent practice for midwives based on their full training.
- Expansion of Coverage: Advocates for funding under TRICARE (military health program) and Medicaid to cover midwife-provided maternity care across all training paths.
- Decriminalization and Destigmatization: Urges steps to reduce stigma and legal restrictions on midwifery in various settings (e.g., homes, birth centers), allowing choices based on the pregnant person's preferences.
- Acknowledgment of Contributions: Recognizes the enduring impact of Black midwives on maternal and infant health despite historical persecution and barriers.
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 and policy recommendation rather than enforceable legislation. However, it calls for reviewing and potentially reforming laws that criminalize or overregulate midwifery, particularly those disproportionately affecting Black midwives and communities.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: May influence agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prioritize funding and programs for maternal health equity, potentially leading to expanded Medicaid/TRICARE coverage and workforce diversity initiatives. State health departments could face pressure to decriminalize midwifery practices.
- On Citizens: Could improve access to culturally competent care for Black women and families, reducing maternal mortality (noted as 44.8 deaths per 100,000 live births for Black women vs. lower rates for other groups) and morbidity risks. It highlights benefits like lower cesarean rates and better postpartum outcomes from midwife-led care, potentially benefiting underserved rural and low-income areas facing "maternity care deserts" (regions without obstetric services).
- On International Relations: References UN recommendations on racial disparities in reproductive health, which could align U.S. policy with global human rights standards, enhancing the country's image in international forums on health equity without direct diplomatic effects.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Black Midwives and Perinatal Workforce: Directly honors their contributions and seeks to remove barriers to training, practice, and funding, potentially increasing their numbers and autonomy.
- Black Women and Families: Primary beneficiaries through improved access to respectful, culturally sensitive care that addresses disparities rooted in structural racism and social inequities.
- Healthcare Providers and Communities: Includes doulas (non-medical birth supporters), obstetricians, and community health workers; aims to integrate midwifery into broader systems to combat maternity care shortages affecting over 2.3 million women.
- Government and Policymakers: Federal and state entities involved in health policy, funding, and regulation, as well as advocacy groups like the National Black Midwives Alliance.
- Broader Society: Impacts infant health (linked to maternal outcomes) and public health efforts to reduce overall mortality rates, which rose recently.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Encourages decriminalization of midwifery pathways, which could challenge state laws restricting direct-entry midwives (those trained outside medical school). It promotes bodily autonomy in birth choices, aligning with reproductive rights but without creating new legal mandates.
- Constitutional: Supports equal protection under the 14th Amendment by addressing racial disparities in health care, potentially bolstering arguments against discriminatory practices in maternal services. No direct constitutional challenges are raised.
- Political: As a bipartisan-friendly resolution (introduced by Sen. Booker and referred to the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee), it advances reproductive justice and health equity agendas, signaling congressional support for anti-racism efforts in health policy. It could inspire future binding legislation on funding or deregulation, amid ongoing debates on maternal mortality (highest among developed nations) and UN critiques of U.S. systemic issues.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-17: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S1094-1095)
- 2026-03-17: Submitted in Senate
Bill Versions
- Recognizing 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)