A resolution recognizing the week of April 11 through April 17, 2019, as "Black Maternal Health Week" to bring national attention to the maternal health crisis in the Black community and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women.

III 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 154 Recognizing the week of April 11 through April 17, 2019, as ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’ to bring national attention to the maternal health crisis in the Black community and the importance of reducing maternal mor- tality and morbidity among Black women. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES APRIL 10, 2019 Ms. HARRIS (for herself, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. WYDEN, Ms. KLO- BUCHAR, Mr. MERKLEY, Mrs. GILLIBRAND, Ms. STABENOW, Mr. BROWN, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. BOOKER, Mrs. MURRAY, Ms. DUCKWORTH, Mr. MARKEY, and Mr. VAN HOLLEN) sub- mitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions RESOLUTION Recognizing the week of April 11 through April 17, 2019, as ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’ to bring national at- tention to the maternal health crisis in the Black commu- nity and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women. Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black mothers in the United States are 3 to 4 times more likely than White mothers to die from preg- nancy-related causes; VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:15 Apr 10, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR154.IS SR154 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 154 IS Whereas Black women in the United States suffer from life- threatening pregnancy complications, known as ‘‘mater- nal morbidities’’, twice as often as White women; Whereas maternal mortality rates in the United States are— (1) among the highest in the developed world; and (2) increasing rapidly; Whereas the United States has the highest maternal mor- tality rate among affluent countries, in part because of the disproportionate mortality rate of Black mothers; Whereas Black women are 49 percent more likely than White women to deliver prematurely; Whereas the high rates of maternal mortality among Black women span across— (1) income levels; (2) education levels; and (3) socioeconomic status; Whereas structural racism, gender oppression, and the social determinants of health inequities experienced by Black women in the United States significantly contribute to the disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women; Whereas racism and discrimination play a consequential role in maternal health care, experiences, and outcomes; Whereas a fair distribution of resources, especially with re- gard to reproductive health care services and maternal health programming, is critical to closing the maternal health racial disparity gap; Whereas, even as there is growing concern about improving access to mental health services, Black women are least likely to have access to mental health screenings, treat- ment, and support before, during, and after pregnancy; VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:15 Apr 10, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR154.IS SR154 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 154 IS Whereas justice-informed, culturally congruent models of care are beneficial to Black women; and Whereas an investment must be made in— (1) maternity care for Black women; and (2) policies that support and promote affordable, comprehensive, and holistic maternal health care that is free from gender and racial discrimination: Now, there- fore, be it Resolved, That the Senate recognizes— 1 (1) that Black women are experiencing high, 2 disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and 3 morbidity in the United States; 4 (2) that the alarmingly high rates of maternal 5 mortality among Black women are unacceptable; 6 (3) that, in order to better mitigate the effects 7 of systemic and structural racism, Congress must 8 work toward ensuring that the Black community 9 has— 10 (A) adequate housing; 11 (B) transportation equity; 12 (C) nutritious food; 13 (D) clean water; 14 (E) environments free from toxins; 15 (F) fair treatment within the criminal jus- 16 tice system; 17 (G) safety and freedom from violence; 18 (H) a living wage; 19 VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:15 Apr 10, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR154.IS SR154 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 4 •SRES 154 IS (I) equal economic opportunity; and 1 (J) comprehensive, affordable health care; 2 (4) that, in order to improve maternal health 3 outcomes, Congress must fully support and encour- 4 age policies grounded in the human rights and re- 5 productive justice frameworks that address Black 6 maternal health inequity; 7 (5) that Black women must be active partici- 8 pants in the policy decisions that impact their lives; 9 (6) that ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’ is an 10 opportunity— 11 (A) to raise national awareness of the state 12 of Black maternal health in the United States; 13 (B) to amplify the voices of Black women, 14 families, and communities; 15 (C) to serve as a national platform for— 16 (i) entities led by Black women; and 17 (ii) efforts on maternal health; and 18 (D) to enhance community organizing on 19 Black maternal health; and 20 (7) the significance of April 11 through April 21 17, 2019, as ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’. 22 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:15 Apr 10, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR154.IS SR154 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS