Supporting the designation of the week of April 11 through April 17, 2019 as "Black Maternal Health Week".

IV 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 317 Supporting the designation of the week of April 11 through April 17, 2019 as ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES APRIL 12, 2019 Ms. ADAMS (for herself, Ms. UNDERWOOD, Ms. LEE of California, Ms. CLARKE of New York, Ms. KELLY of Illinois, Mr. RYAN, Mr. KHANNA, Ms. MOORE, Ms. NORTON, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. PAYNE, Ms. CASTOR of Florida, Mrs. LAWRENCE, Ms. WILSON of Flor- ida, Mrs. DINGELL, Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, Mrs. BEATTY, Mr. COHEN, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. GALLEGO, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. LOWENTHAL, Ms. JOHNSON of Texas, Ms. BONAMICI, Mr. CRIST, Ms. SPEIER, Mr. LAWSON of Florida, Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of New York, Mr. POCAN, Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER, Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania, Ms. HAALAND, Mrs. HAYES, Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. NADLER, Mr. CASTRO of Texas, Ms. MENG, Ms. PLASKETT, Ms. DELAURO, Mrs. LOWEY, Ms. SHALALA, Mr. VEASEY, Ms. FUDGE, Ms. DEGETTE, Mr. HORSFORD, Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI, Ms. OMAR, Ms. TLAIB, Ms. BROWNLEY of California, Mrs. MCBATH, Mr. CUNNINGHAM, Ms. WILD, and Ms. PRESSLEY) sub- mitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Supporting the designation of the week of April 11 through April 17, 2019 as ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’. Whereas Congress recognizes ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’ to bring national attention to the maternal health crisis VerDate Sep 11 2014 20:54 Apr 12, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR317.IH HR317 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 317 IH in the Black community 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 three to four times as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes as White mothers; 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; VerDate Sep 11 2014 20:54 Apr 12, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR317.IH HR317 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 317 IH 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; 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 House of Representatives recog- 1 nizes— 2 (1) that Black women are experiencing high, 3 disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and 4 morbidity in the United States; 5 (2) that the alarmingly high rates of maternal 6 mortality among Black women are unacceptable; 7 (3) that, in order to better mitigate the effects 8 of systemic and structural racism, Congress must 9 work toward ensuring that the Black community 10 has— 11 (A) adequate housing; 12 VerDate Sep 11 2014 20:54 Apr 12, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR317.IH HR317 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 4 •HRES 317 IH (B) transportation equity; 1 (C) nutritious food; 2 (D) clean water; 3 (E) environments free from toxins; 4 (F) fair treatment within the criminal jus- 5 tice system; 6 (G) safety and freedom from violence; 7 (H) a living wage; 8 (I) equal economic opportunity; and 9 (J) comprehensive, affordable health care; 10 (4) that, in order to improve maternal health 11 outcomes, Congress must fully support and encour- 12 age policies grounded in the human rights and re- 13 productive justice frameworks that address Black 14 maternal health inequity; 15 (5) that Black women must be active partici- 16 pants in the policy decisions that impact their lives; 17 and 18 (6) that ‘‘Black Maternal Health Week’’ is an 19 opportunity— 20 (A) to raise national awareness of the state 21 of Black maternal health in the United States; 22 (B) to amplify the voices of Black women, 23 families, and communities; 24 (C) to serve as a national platform for— 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 20:54 Apr 12, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR317.IH HR317 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 5 •HRES 317 IH (i) entities led by Black women; and 1 (ii) efforts on maternal health; and 2 (D) to enhance community organizing on 3 Black maternal health. 4 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 20:54 Apr 12, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR317.IH HR317 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS