Bill > SRes675

This resolution supports the designation of April 11-17, 2026, as "Black Maternal Health Week," an initiative founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc., to highlight the critical maternal and reproductive health crisis in the United States. The resolution acknowledges that Black women and birthing people face alarmingly high rates of maternal mortality (death related to pregnancy) and morbidity (life-threatening pregnancy complications), which are significantly higher than those of White women and are among the highest in developed nations. It attributes these disparities to systemic inequities, structural racism, gender oppression, and social determinants of health, noting that many pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. The resolution emphasizes the need for Congress to address these issues by ensuring access to safe and affordable housing, transportation, nutritious food, clean environments, decriminalization of certain pregnancy outcomes, safety from violence, living wages, economic opportunity, a diverse perinatal workforce, and comprehensive, affordable healthcare including reproductive care. It calls for policies grounded in human rights, reproductive justice, and birth justice, and stresses the importance of Black women and birthing people participating in policy decisions that affect them. Furthermore, the resolution recognizes "Black Maternal Health Week" as a crucial opportunity to deepen national dialogue, amplify community-led solutions, center the voices of affected individuals and organizations, provide a platform for Black-led initiatives, enhance community organizing, and increase support and funding for Black-led organizations and perinatal workers who provide essential maternal and reproductive healthcare.