S. Res. 159 (Introduced in Senate) — Recognizing the designation of the week of April 11 through April 17, 2023, as the sixth annual “Black Maternal Health Week” to bring national attention to the maternal health crisis in the United States and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women and birthing persons.

(1)

Black women are experiencing high, disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and morbidity in the United States;

(2)

the alarmingly high rates of maternal mortality among Black women are unacceptable;

(3)

in order to better mitigate the effects of systemic and structural racism, Congress must work toward ensuring that the Black community has—

(A)

safe and affordable housing;

(B)

transportation equity;

(C)

nutritious food;

(D)

clean air and water;

(E)

environments free from toxins;

(F)

fair treatment within the criminal justice system;

(G)

safety and freedom from violence;

(H)

a living wage;

(I)

equal economic opportunity;

(J)

a sustained workforce pipeline for diverse perinatal professionals; and

(K)

comprehensive, high-quality, and affordable health care with access to the full spectrum of reproductive care;

(4)

in order to improve maternal health outcomes, Congress must fully support and encourage policies grounded in the human rights, reproductive justice, and birth justice frameworks that address Black maternal health inequity;

(5)

Black women and birthing persons must be active participants in the policy decisions that impact their lives;

(6)

in order to ensure access to safe and respectful maternal health care for Black birthing persons, Congress must reintroduce and pass the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2021 (S. 346, H.R. 959, 117th Congress); and

(7)

“Black Maternal Health Week” is an opportunity to—

(A)

deepen the national conversation about Black maternal health in the United States;

(B)

amplify community-driven policy, research, and care solutions;

(C)

center the voices of Black mothers, women, families, and stakeholders;

(D)

provide a national platform for Black-led entities and efforts on maternal health, birth, and reproductive justice; and

(E)

enhance community organizing on Black maternal health.

Cite this provision

Incoming references