DETROIT — Ahead of Mother’s Day, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Chair of the Congressional Mamas’ Caucus, introduced a House Resolution Recognizing National Postpartum Awareness Week for Communities of Color. This resolution honors women, pregnant people, and their families by recognizing the unique challenges faced by communities of color, supports efforts to combat institutional racism, advocates for equitable maternal health policies, and celebrates organizations working to spread awareness on postpartum health issues.
“As Chair of the Congressional Mamas’ Caucus, I know the postpartum health crisis impacts so many mothers and families in Detroit and Southeast Michigan. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes due to racial bias in medicine and a healthcare system that has failed them for far too long,” said Congresswoman Tlaib. “We must act with urgency at the federal level by investing in community-based care, protecting and expanding Medicaid, supporting doulas and midwives, and passing sweeping, holistic legislation. Communities of color deserve equitable, comprehensive healthcare.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women in the United States have the highest rate of maternal mortality related to pregnancy and childbirth complications compared to other wealthy nations. Communities of color are disproportionately affected by these complications, and Black women and American Native or Alaskan women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.
Black, Latina, and multiracial women are also significantly more likely to be mistreated or discriminated against in our healthcare system during pregnancy, and their requests for help consistently go ignored with fatal consequences.
The CDC reports that 86 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable through timely recognition and diagnosis of urgent maternal warning signs. Equitable access to quality maternal care is essential to supporting mothers, pregnant people, and families at a critical point in their lives.
The resolution is cosponsored by Reps. Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Robin Kelly (IL-02), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.), Paul Tonko (NY-20), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).
The legislation is endorsed by 4Kira4Moms, American Association of Birth Centers, American College of Nurse-Midwives, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Ancient Song Inc., BGMH Foundation, Black Coalition for Safe Motherhood, Black Mamas Village, Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Brooklyn Perinatal Network Inc., Center for Reproductive Rights, Childbirth And Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA), Doula C.A.R.E Alliance, Dr. Shalon Maternal Action Project, Elara Caring, Families USA, Family Values @ Work, Institute for Women’s Policy Research, Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, Maternity Care Coalition, Michigan Chamber for Reproductive Justice, MomsRising, Mothering Justice, Mothering Justice Action Fund, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, National Association of Certified Professional Midwives, National Birth Equity Collaborative, National Black Doulas Association, National Partnership for Women and Families, National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, Once Upon A Preemie Inc., Physicians for Reproductive Health, Reproductive Freedom for All, Speak Move Change Collective, Tribal Health, Urban Mommy Inc., Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, and ZERO TO THREE.
You can read the full bill text here.
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