Recognizing the designation of the week of April 11 through April 17, 2023, as the sixth annual "Black Maternal Health Week" to bring national attention to the maternal health crisis in the United States and the importance of reducing maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women and birthing persons.
The resolution establishes a framework for addressing the systemic and structural racism that impacts Black women in terms of their health outcomes. It calls for investment in quality maternity care, continuous health insurance coverage for postpartum periods, and policies that eliminate barriers to healthcare access, ensuring respect and dignity for Black birthing persons. Moreover, it emphasizes the need for a sufficient pipeline of diverse perinatal professionals to help cultivate community-led care models that are culturally congruent and rooted in justice-informed approaches.
HR289 is a resolution recognizing April 11 through April 17, 2023, as the sixth annual 'Black Maternal Health Week'. The aim is to highlight the maternal health crisis faced by Black women and birthing persons in the United States, who are significantly affected by high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity. Statistics indicate that Black women are 2.6 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their white counterparts, with their suffering from life-threatening complications occurring twice as often. This resolution acknowledges the alarming trends in maternal health disparities and seeks to draw national attention to these urgent issues.
While the resolution aims to strengthen support for Black maternal health, notable contentions arise surrounding the broader systemic issues it addresses. Critics might argue that while recognizing the week is symbolic, it is essential to back this with concrete legislative action and funding. Supporters advocate for enhanced policies that ensure equitable distribution of resources necessary for comprehensive maternal care, as well as discarding systemic barriers faced by community-based organizations that provide crucial maternal services.