April 10, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 62 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page S2390]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 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 MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY AMONG BLACK WOMEN

  Ms. HARRIS (for herself, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Wyden, Ms. 
Klobuchar, 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) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 154

       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 pregnancy-
     related causes;
       Whereas Black women in the United States suffer from life-
     threatening pregnancy complications, known as ``maternal 
     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 
     mortality 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 
     regard 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, treatment, 
     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, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate recognizes--
       (1) that Black women are experiencing high, 
     disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and morbidity in 
     the United States;
       (2) that the alarmingly high rates of maternal mortality 
     among Black women are unacceptable;
       (3) that, in order to better mitigate the effects of 
     systemic and structural racism, Congress must work toward 
     ensuring that the Black community has--
       (A) adequate housing;
       (B) transportation equity;
       (C) nutritious food;
       (D) clean 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; and
       (J) comprehensive, affordable health care;
       (4) that, in order to improve maternal health outcomes, 
     Congress must fully support and encourage policies grounded 
     in the human rights and reproductive justice frameworks that 
     address Black maternal health inequity;
       (5) that Black women must be active participants in the 
     policy decisions that impact their lives;
       (6) that ``Black Maternal Health Week'' is an opportunity--
       (A) to raise national awareness of the state of Black 
     maternal health in the United States;
       (B) to amplify the voices of Black women, families, and 
     communities;
       (C) to serve as a national platform for--
       (i) entities led by Black women; and
       (ii) efforts on maternal health; and
       (D) to enhance community organizing on Black maternal 
     health; and
       (7) the significance of April 11 through April 17, 2019, as 
     ``Black Maternal Health Week''.

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