Michigan Senate Bill SR0024

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/8/25
• Passed: 4/16/25

Caption

A resolution to commemorate April 11-17, 2025, as Black Maternal Health Week.

Impact

The resolution emphasizes the root causes of these disparities, attributing them to structural racism within healthcare systems, inadequate support for maternal health, and underfunded prenatal programs. Moreover, it also recognizes the need for community-centered solutions aimed at enhancing access to quality maternal health care, improving prenatal care practices, and addressing the unique challenges faced by Black women. It is essential for the state to take significant actions to tackle these issues, which not only affect individual families but also bear broader implications for public health and equity.

Summary

Senate Resolution 24 aims to commemorate April 11-17, 2025, as Black Maternal Health Week. This resolution highlights alarming disparities in maternal mortality rates, specifically addressing the fact that Black mothers in the United States are two to three times more likely to die during childbirth than their white counterparts. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the rates are particularly concerning, with 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births for Black women compared to 14.5 for white women. These figures reflect a broader trend in which the U.S. has one of the highest maternal death rates among high-income countries, despite significant expenditures on related healthcare services.

Contention

While the resolution serves to increase awareness regarding Black maternal mortality, there may be divergent views on the effectiveness of legislative commemoration versus practical policy change. Some may argue that merely designating a week does not sufficiently address the systemic barriers and inequities that Black women face in maternal healthcare. Effective solutions will require concrete legislative support aimed at reforming existing healthcare policies and ensuring that Black women receive the quality of care they require during pregnancy and beyond.