Supporting the recognition of March 14, 2026, as "Black Midwives Day" and the longstanding and invaluable contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the United States.
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Latest Action · March 17, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This resolution recognizes March 14, 2026, as "Black Midwives Day" to highlight the contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the United States. The resolution addresses a critical public health issue: Black women in America face maternal mortality rates of 44.8 deaths per 100,000 live births—more than three times higher than White women—while over 2.3 million women live in maternity care deserts with no access to obstetric services. Research shows that midwife-led care reduces medical interventions, lowers cesarean rates, and improves outcomes for mothers and infants. The resolution calls on the federal and state governments to increase funding for Black midwife training and education, remove legal and regulatory barriers to midwifery practice, expand insurance coverage for midwife services through Medicaid and TRICARE, and work to destigmatize and decriminalize midwifery across all care settings including homes and birth centers. This is a symbolic resolution with no direct funding, but it expresses congressional support for policies that would increase access to culturally competent maternal care and address systemic racial disparities in maternal health.
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