Supporting the designation of the week of April 11 through April 17, 2025, as the eighth annual "Black Maternal Health Week", founded by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc., to bring 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 people.

Summary

Expresses congressional findings that maternal health outcomes in the United States show large racial and geographic disparities, highlighting that Black birthing people face much higher rates of pregnancy-related death and preventable maternal morbidity. It lists likely causes such as structural racism, limited access to care in maternity care deserts, low Medicaid reimbursement, workforce shortages, barriers to midwives/doulas, COVID-19 impacts, and other social determinants, and it endorses justice-informed, culturally congruent care models and the need for investments (text does not create new legal requirements or funding).

• Declares that Black birthing people face 2–3 times the risk of pregnancy-related death compared to White women.
• Reports recent maternal mortality rate increases for Black women while rates decreased for other racial groups.
• States that most pregnancy-related deaths are preventable and lists medical causes that disproportionately affect Black people.
• Attributes disparities to structural racism, social determinants of health, care access gaps, low Medicaid payments, and workforce shortages.
• Highlights barriers to midwives, doulas, and perinatal workers as contributors to poor outcomes.
• Notes COVID-19 worsened maternal health inequities and reduced vaccination coverage among some groups.
• Calls for justice-informed, culturally congruent care models and investment to reduce disparities (but does not provide funding).
• Is a findings-based, non-binding statement that does not change law or appropriate money.