H.Res. 1268

[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>