Recognizes the importance of Black midwives in addressing maternal health disparities and improving access to culturally relevant care.
Gwen Moore
Representative
WI-4
This bill recognizes the critical role of Black midwives in addressing the maternal health crisis, particularly for Black women who face disproportionately high mortality rates. It designates March 14, 2025, as Black Midwives Day and urges federal, state, and local governments to support and invest in Black midwifery through funding, training, and policy changes. The bill aims to reduce racial disparities in maternal health by increasing access to culturally relevant care and enabling midwives to practice to the full extent of their training. It also seeks to eliminate barriers to entry into the profession and promote equitable healthcare policies.
March 14, 2025, Officially 'Black Midwives Day': Feds Push to Tackle Maternal Health Crisis
This resolution shines a spotlight on the critical role Black midwives play in tackling the nation's maternal health crisis, especially for Black women. It officially designates March 14, 2025, as Black Midwives Day, but it's about way more than just a date on the calendar.
Maternal Health Crisis: A Deeper Look
The resolution acknowledges a stark reality: The U.S. is facing a serious maternal health crisis. Over 2 million women of childbearing age live in areas with limited or no access to maternity care. Even more alarming, Black women face a maternal mortality rate significantly higher than other racial groups – 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to 14.5 for White women, 12.4 for Hispanic women, and 10.7 for Asian women. This resolution directly connects that disparity to the need for more Black midwives.
Boosting Black Midwives: What It Means
The resolution calls for action on several fronts, all aimed at supporting Black midwives and making their services more accessible:
- More Training & Support: It pushes for more funding for midwifery education and training, specifically targeting barriers faced by Black preceptors (the experienced midwives who train students). Think financial aid for students and their mentors, plus mentorship programs to keep the knowledge flowing.
- Less Red Tape: The resolution urges federal and state governments to let midwives practice independently, to the full extent of their training. It's about cutting unnecessary restrictions that prevent qualified midwives from providing care.
- Insurance Coverage: This is a big one. The resolution wants to make sure midwife-led care is covered by TRICARE (for military families) and Medicaid, regardless of the midwife's training pathway. This opens up options for more families.
- Ending Stigma: The resolution calls for reducing the stigma around midwifery and decriminalizing it in all settings – homes, birth centers, clinics, you name it.
Real-World Impact: Beyond the Policy Talk
Imagine a pregnant woman in a rural area, hours from the nearest hospital. A local midwife could provide essential prenatal care, a safe delivery, and postpartum support. Or picture a Black woman who feels more comfortable and understood by a midwife who shares her cultural background. This is about making those scenarios more common.
This resolution is a commitment to addressing a major health crisis and empowering a profession that's historically been vital to Black communities. It's a call for real change, from funding and policy tweaks to a broader shift in how we approach maternal care in this country.