Recognizing Black Maternal Health Week

Floor Speech

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Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the fourth annual Black Maternal Health Week.

As the founder and co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, I want to take this time to speak briefly about the Black maternal health crisis in America, where Black mamas are disproportionately and needlessly dying.

Across the country, Black women from all walks of life are dying from preventable pregnancy-related complications at three and four times the rate of non-Hispanic, White women. However, 60 percent of Black maternal deaths are preventable.

Research suggests that the cumulative stress of racism and sexism undermines Black women's health, making them more vulnerable to complications that endanger their lives and the lives of their infants. Unfortunately, current healthcare practices are inadequate in addressing the health consequences of living with stress.

The Black Maternal Omnibus Act of 2021, a package of 12 bills, will comprehensively address every dimension of the maternal health crisis in America to save lives and end racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes.

This crisis demands urgent attention and serious action to save the lives of Black mothers, women of color, and other marginalized women across the country.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues and this Congress to stand together with me to ensure that our mothers and babies have the resources they need not only to survive but to thrive. Black mamas can't wait, and neither will we.

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