Senate Resolution 119, sponsored by Lamar, recognizes the week of April 11 through April 17, 2025, as Black Maternal Health Week. This resolution aims to highlight the critical maternal and reproductive health crisis affecting Black women and birthing persons in the United States, who face disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity. According to the CDC, Black women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to their White counterparts, with alarming statistics indicating that the maternal mortality rate for Black women reached 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023. The resolution emphasizes the need for systemic changes to address the structural racism and social determinants of health that contribute to these disparities.

The resolution calls for a comprehensive approach to improve maternal health outcomes for Black women, including investments in community-led maternity care, continuous health insurance coverage for postpartum support, and policies that promote equitable access to healthcare. It also advocates for the decriminalization of pregnancy outcomes and the removal of barriers faced by Black midwives and doulas. By designating Black Maternal Health Week, the resolution seeks to deepen the national conversation on this issue, amplify community-driven solutions, and ensure that Black women and birthing persons are actively involved in policy decisions that affect their health and well-being.