[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1268 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1268

Recognizing the week of May 3, 2026, through May 9, 2026, as ``National 
         Postpartum Awareness Week for Communities of Color''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 7, 2026

   Ms. Tlaib (for herself, Mrs. Beatty, Mr. Garcia of Illinois, Ms. 
 Johnson of Texas, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Mrs. 
McClain Delaney, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Ms. Morrison, Mr. Moulton, Ms. 
Norton, Mr. Tonko, Ms. Wilson of Florida, and Mr. Carson) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
                                Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the week of May 3, 2026, through May 9, 2026, as ``National 
         Postpartum Awareness Week for Communities of Color''.

Whereas studies from the Commonwealth Fund and data from the U.S. Centers for 
        Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and from the Organization for 
        Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) indicate that women in the 
        United States have the highest rate of maternal mortality related to 
        complications of pregnancy and childbirth of any high-income nation, 
        with the United States maternal death rate more than double the rate in 
        most other high-income countries studied;
Whereas, according to the most recent data from the CDC, Black women and 
        American Native or Alaskan women are 3 to 4 times more likely to die 
        from pregnancy-related causes than White women, reflecting that 
        communities of color experience disproportionate rates of maternal 
        mortality and morbidity;
Whereas, according to the CDC, more than two-thirds of pregnancy-related deaths 
        take place during the postpartum period;
Whereas the CDC defines pregnancy-related deaths as a death during pregnancy or 
        within one year of the end of pregnancy from a pregnancy complication, a 
        chain of events initiated by pregnancy, or the aggravation of an 
        unrelated condition by the physiologic effects of pregnancy;
Whereas, according to the CDC, 86 percent of pregnancy-related deaths are 
        preventable through timely recognition and diagnosis of urgent maternal 
        warning signs, and equitable access to quality care;
Whereas the CDC has established the Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System in 
        recognition that better information about causes of pregnancy-related 
        deaths and risk factors associated with these deaths can help clinicians 
        and public health professionals to better understand the national trends 
        and clinical causes of pregnancy-related deaths to inform actions to 
        prevent them;
Whereas the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reported 
        that 1 in 5 pregnant patients overall, and 1 in 3 Black, Hispanic, and 
        multiracial mothers, experience mistreatment and/or discrimination 
        during maternity care, most commonly in the form of a health care 
        provider not responding to or refusing their request for help;
Whereas the postpartum period represents a critical time in the health and well-
        being of mothers, pregnant people, and their families;
Whereas research shows Black women are twice as likely as White women to 
        experience maternal mental health conditions;
Whereas research shows that Black women living in smaller cities, towns, and 
        rural communities face nearly 80 percent greater odds of risk for 
        postpartum depression compared to their White counterparts;
Whereas racial, social, and economic barriers often prevent communities of color 
        from accessing adequate postpartum care and support services;
Whereas increasing awareness of postpartum health disparities and supporting 
        respectful, culturally competent care are essential steps toward 
        achieving maternal health equity;
Whereas community-based organizations, health care providers, and advocacy 
        groups work tirelessly to raise awareness and amplify the needs and 
        voices of communities of color during their pregnancy, birthing, and 
        postpartum journey; and
Whereas education about postpartum warning signs, mental health support, and 
        available resources can save lives and improve outcomes for mothers, 
        pregnant people, and families: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes ``National Postpartum Awareness Week for 
        Communities of Color'';
            (2) recognizes the unique challenges faced by women and 
        pregnant people of color during the postpartum period;
            (3) supports efforts to combat institutional racism and 
        eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health 
        outcomes;
            (4) disseminates information on and promote access to 
        respectful and culturally appropriate postpartum care and 
        mental health services;
            (5) advocates for policies that address systemic barriers 
        to equitable maternal health care; and
            (6) celebrates and supports organizations working to 
        provide awareness on how communities of color can best navigate 
        the very real dangers they face to improve postpartum health 
        outcomes.
                                 <all>