Recognizing the longstanding and invaluable contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the United States.

This House Resolution recognizes the significant and enduring contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health across the United States, designating March 14, 2025, as "Black Midwives Day" to raise awareness about Black maternal health and community-driven care solutions. The resolution highlights the severe maternity care desert crisis in the U.S., where millions lack access to essential services, contributing to higher maternal morbidity and mortality. The resolution emphasizes that midwife-led care improves health outcomes, including cost savings, reduced medical interventions, and lower cesarean and preterm birth rates. Increasing the number of Black midwives is critical for addressing maternal health disparities, as they provide culturally competent care that builds trust and improves outcomes for Black mothers and infants. Historically, Black midwives have faced persecution and erasure, with current criminalization or overregulation in some states further exacerbating health inequities. To address these challenges, the resolution encourages Federal, State, and local governments to take proactive measures. These include diversifying the perinatal workforce, increasing access to culturally congruent maternal health care, and collaborating on policy solutions that promote health equity and advance Black midwifery. It specifically calls for increased funding for education, training, and mentorship programs for Black midwives, alongside removing accreditation barriers and supporting financial pathways for students and preceptors. Furthermore, the resolution advocates for authorizing the autonomous practice of all midwives to the full extent of their training and promoting TRICARE and Medicaid coverage for midwife-provided maternity care. It also urges governments to destigmatize and decriminalize midwifery practice in various settings, ensuring access to essential, culturally matched perinatal health providers.