MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Rules By: Senator(s) Frazier Senate Resolution 146 A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE WEEK OF APRIL 11 THROUGH 17, 2025, AS "BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK." WHEREAS, this year marks the eighth year we recognize the annual "Black Maternal Health Week," which is being acknowledged on April 11 through 17, 2025; and WHEREAS, "Black Maternal Health Week," founded by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc., brings national attention to the maternal and reproductive health crisis in the United States and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women and birthing persons; and WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women in the United States are two to three times more likely than White women to die from pregnancy-related causes; and WHEREAS, Black women and people living in low-income and rural communities in the United States are the most likely to suffer from life-threatening pregnancy complications, known as "maternal morbidities"; and WHEREAS, maternal mortality rates in the United States are among the highest in the developed world with 23.8 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020, 32.9 in 2021, 22.3 in 2022, and 18.6 in 2023; and WHEREAS, the United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among affluent countries, in part because of the disproportionate mortality rate of Black women; and WHEREAS, according to the 2025 CDC Report, in 2023, the U.S. maternal mortality rate decreased for White (14.5), Hispanic (12.4), and Asians (10.7) women, but increased to 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births for Black women; and WHEREAS, in Mississippi, the maternal mortality rate is 39 per 100,000 live births; and WHEREAS, Black women are 50% more likely than all other women to give birth to premature, low birthweight, and very low birthweight infants; and WHEREAS, the high rates of maternal mortality among Black women span across income levels, education levels and socioeconomic status; and WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable; and WHEREAS, the leading causes of maternal mortality among Black women and birthing persons include eclampsia, preeclampsia, postpartum cardiomyopathy, and obstetric embolism, and these conditions impact Black women and birthing people disproportionately; and WHEREAS, Mississippi had a high rate of preterm births of 15% in 2023, with the preterm birth rate among babies born to Black birthing people 17.7%; and 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; and WHEREAS, racism and discrimination play a consequential role in maternal health care experiences and outcomes of Black birthing people; and WHEREAS, the overturn of Roe v. Wade impacts Black women and birthing people's right to reproductive healthcare and bodily autonomy, and further perpetuates reproductive oppression as a tool to control women's bodies; and WHEREAS, a fair and wide distribution of resources and birth options, especially with regard to reproductive health care services and maternal health programming, are critical to addressing inequities in maternal health outcomes; and WHEREAS, states and rural counties with higher Black population rates have severe maternity care deserts, where there are no hospitals or birth centers offering obstetric care and no obstetric providers, and diminished access to reproductive healthcare providers due to low Medicaid reimbursements, rising costs, and persistent healthcare workforce shortages; and WHEREAS, in 2023, 13.6% of birthing people in Mississippi received little to no adequate prenatal care, with the issue disproportionately affecting low-income and minority communities; and WHEREAS, maternity care deserts lead to higher risks of maternal morbidity and mortality as most complications occur in the postpartum period when birthing people are far away from their providers; and WHEREAS, Black midwives, doulas, perinatal health workers and community-based organizations provide holistic maternal care and support but face structural and legal barriers to licensure, reimbursement, and provision of care; and WHEREAS, Black women and birthing persons experience increased barriers to accessing prenatal and postpartum care, including maternal mental health care; and WHEREAS, COVID-19, which has disproportionately harmed Black Americans, is associated with an increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes and maternal and neonatal complications; and WHEREAS, new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has indicated that since the COVID-19 pandemic, the maternal mortality rate for Black women has increased by 26%; and WHEREAS, there are concerted efforts to increase the uptake of maternal vaccinations; and 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; and WHEREAS, Black pregnant and postpartum workers are disproportionately denied reasonable accommodations in the workplace, leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes; and WHEREAS, Black pregnant people disproportionately experience surveillance and punishment, including shackling incarcerated people during labor, drug testing mothers and infants without informed consent, separating mothers from their newborns, and criminalizing pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage; and WHEREAS, Black women and birthing people experience pervasive racial injustice in the criminal justice, social, and health care systems; and WHEREAS, justice-informed, culturally congruent models of care are beneficial to Black women; and WHEREAS, an investment must be made in maternity care for Black women and birthing persons, including care led by the communities most affected by the maternal health crisis in the State of Mississippi; and WHEREAS, an investment must be made in continuous health insurance coverage to support Black women and birthing persons for the full postpartum period at least one year after giving birth; and WHEREAS, an investment must be made in policies that support and promote affordable, comprehensive, and holistic maternal health care that is free from gender and racial discrimination, regardless of incarceration; and WHEREAS, Black women are experiencing high, disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and morbidity in the State of Mississippi; and WHEREAS, the alarmingly high rates of maternal mortality among Black women are unacceptable and unjust; and WHEREAS, in order to better mitigate the effects of systemic and structural racism, the Mississippi Legislature must work toward ensuring that the Black community has the following: (a) Safe and affordable housing; (b) Transportation equity; (c) Nutritious food; (d) Clean air and water; (e) Environments free from toxins; (f) Decriminalization, removal of civil penalties, end of surveillance, and end of mandatory reporting within the criminal and family regulation system; (g) Safety and freedom from violence; (h) A living wage; (i) Equal economic opportunity; (j) A sustained and expansive workforce pipeline for diverse perinatal professionals; (k) Comprehensive, high-quality, and affordable health care including access to the full spectrum of reproductive care; and WHEREAS, in order to improve maternal health outcomes, the Mississippi Legislature must fully support and encourage policies grounded in the human rights, reproductive justice, and birth justice frameworks that address maternal health inequities; and WHEREAS, Black women and birthing persons must be active participants in the policy decisions that impact their lives; and WHEREAS, in order to ensure access to safe and respectful maternal health care for Black birthing people, the Mississippi Legislature must pass the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act and other legislation rooted in human rights that seek to improve maternal care and outcomes; and WHEREAS, "Black Maternal Health Week" is an opportunity: (a) To deepen the national conversation about Black maternal health in the United States; (b) To amplify and invest in community-driven policy, research, and quality care solutions; (c) To center the voices of Black Mamas, women, families, and stakeholders; (d) To provide a national platform for Black-led entities and efforts on maternal and mental health, birth equity, and reproductive justice; (e) To enhance community organizing on Black maternal health; (f) To support efforts to increase funding and advance policies for Black-led and centered community-based organizations and perinatal birth workers that provide the full spectrum of reproductive, maternal, and sexual health care: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize that April 11 through 17, 2025, is "Black Maternal Health Week," and encourage Mississippians to observe the purpose of this observation. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to the State Department of Health for appropriate distribution and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Frazier
# Senate Resolution 146
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE WEEK OF APRIL 11 THROUGH 17, 2025, AS "BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK."
WHEREAS, this year marks the eighth year we recognize the annual "Black Maternal Health Week," which is being acknowledged on April 11 through 17, 2025; and
WHEREAS, "Black Maternal Health Week," founded by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc., brings national attention to the maternal and reproductive health crisis in the United States and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women and birthing persons; and
WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women in the United States are two to three times more likely than White women to die from pregnancy-related causes; and
WHEREAS, Black women and people living in low-income and rural communities in the United States are the most likely to suffer from life-threatening pregnancy complications, known as "maternal morbidities"; and
WHEREAS, maternal mortality rates in the United States are among the highest in the developed world with 23.8 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020, 32.9 in 2021, 22.3 in 2022, and 18.6 in 2023; and
WHEREAS, the United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among affluent countries, in part because of the disproportionate mortality rate of Black women; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2025 CDC Report, in 2023, the U.S. maternal mortality rate decreased for White (14.5), Hispanic (12.4), and Asians (10.7) women, but increased to 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births for Black women; and
WHEREAS, in Mississippi, the maternal mortality rate is 39 per 100,000 live births; and
WHEREAS, Black women are 50% more likely than all other women to give birth to premature, low birthweight, and very low birthweight infants; and
WHEREAS, the high rates of maternal mortality among Black women span across income levels, education levels and socioeconomic status; and
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable; and
WHEREAS, the leading causes of maternal mortality among Black women and birthing persons include eclampsia, preeclampsia, postpartum cardiomyopathy, and obstetric embolism, and these conditions impact Black women and birthing people disproportionately; and
WHEREAS, Mississippi had a high rate of preterm births of 15% in 2023, with the preterm birth rate among babies born to Black birthing people 17.7%; and
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; and
WHEREAS, racism and discrimination play a consequential role in maternal health care experiences and outcomes of Black birthing people; and
WHEREAS, the overturn of Roe v. Wade impacts Black women and birthing people's right to reproductive healthcare and bodily autonomy, and further perpetuates reproductive oppression as a tool to control women's bodies; and
WHEREAS, a fair and wide distribution of resources and birth options, especially with regard to reproductive health care services and maternal health programming, are critical to addressing inequities in maternal health outcomes; and
WHEREAS, states and rural counties with higher Black population rates have severe maternity care deserts, where there are no hospitals or birth centers offering obstetric care and no obstetric providers, and diminished access to reproductive healthcare providers due to low Medicaid reimbursements, rising costs, and persistent healthcare workforce shortages; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, 13.6% of birthing people in Mississippi received little to no adequate prenatal care, with the issue disproportionately affecting low-income and minority communities; and
WHEREAS, maternity care deserts lead to higher risks of maternal morbidity and mortality as most complications occur in the postpartum period when birthing people are far away from their providers; and
WHEREAS, Black midwives, doulas, perinatal health workers and community-based organizations provide holistic maternal care and support but face structural and legal barriers to licensure, reimbursement, and provision of care; and
WHEREAS, Black women and birthing persons experience increased barriers to accessing prenatal and postpartum care, including maternal mental health care; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19, which has disproportionately harmed Black Americans, is associated with an increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes and maternal and neonatal complications; and
WHEREAS, new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has indicated that since the COVID-19 pandemic, the maternal mortality rate for Black women has increased by 26%; and
WHEREAS, there are concerted efforts to increase the uptake of maternal vaccinations; and
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; and
WHEREAS, Black pregnant and postpartum workers are disproportionately denied reasonable accommodations in the workplace, leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes; and
WHEREAS, Black pregnant people disproportionately experience surveillance and punishment, including shackling incarcerated people during labor, drug testing mothers and infants without informed consent, separating mothers from their newborns, and criminalizing pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage; and
WHEREAS, Black women and birthing people experience pervasive racial injustice in the criminal justice, social, and health care systems; and
WHEREAS, justice-informed, culturally congruent models of care are beneficial to Black women; and
WHEREAS, an investment must be made in maternity care for Black women and birthing persons, including care led by the communities most affected by the maternal health crisis in the State of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, an investment must be made in continuous health insurance coverage to support Black women and birthing persons for the full postpartum period at least one year after giving birth; and
WHEREAS, an investment must be made in policies that support and promote affordable, comprehensive, and holistic maternal health care that is free from gender and racial discrimination, regardless of incarceration; and
WHEREAS, Black women are experiencing high, disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and morbidity in the State of Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, the alarmingly high rates of maternal mortality among Black women are unacceptable and unjust; and
WHEREAS, in order to better mitigate the effects of systemic and structural racism, the Mississippi Legislature must work toward ensuring that the Black community has the following:
(a) Safe and affordable housing;
(b) Transportation equity;
(c) Nutritious food;
(d) Clean air and water;
(e) Environments free from toxins;
(f) Decriminalization, removal of civil penalties, end of surveillance, and end of mandatory reporting within the criminal and family regulation system;
(g) Safety and freedom from violence;
(h) A living wage;
(i) Equal economic opportunity;
(j) A sustained and expansive workforce pipeline for diverse perinatal professionals;
(k) Comprehensive, high-quality, and affordable health care including access to the full spectrum of reproductive care; and
WHEREAS, in order to improve maternal health outcomes, the Mississippi Legislature must fully support and encourage policies grounded in the human rights, reproductive justice, and birth justice frameworks that address maternal health inequities; and
WHEREAS, Black women and birthing persons must be active participants in the policy decisions that impact their lives; and
WHEREAS, in order to ensure access to safe and respectful maternal health care for Black birthing people, the Mississippi Legislature must pass the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act and other legislation rooted in human rights that seek to improve maternal care and outcomes; and
WHEREAS, "Black Maternal Health Week" is an opportunity:
(a) To deepen the national conversation about Black maternal health in the United States;
(b) To amplify and invest in community-driven policy, research, and quality care solutions;
(c) To center the voices of Black Mamas, women, families, and stakeholders;
(d) To provide a national platform for Black-led entities and efforts on maternal and mental health, birth equity, and reproductive justice;
(e) To enhance community organizing on Black maternal health;
(f) To support efforts to increase funding and advance policies for Black-led and centered community-based organizations and perinatal birth workers that provide the full spectrum of reproductive, maternal, and sexual health care:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize that April 11 through 17, 2025, is "Black Maternal Health Week," and encourage Mississippians to observe the purpose of this observation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to the State Department of Health for appropriate distribution and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.