Bill Text: MI HR0123 | 2019-2020 | 100th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution to urge the Congress of the United States to establish and fund programs that support positive health practices for minority mothers.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 15-1)
Status: (Passed) 2020-01-23 - Adopted [HR0123 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2019-HR0123-Enrolled.html
house resolution no.123
Reps. Brenda Carter, Chirkun, Clemente, Crawford, Garza, Haadsma, Hood, Lasinski, Love, Pohutsky, Sabo, Shannon, Sneller, Sowerby, Stone and Warren offered the following resolution:
Whereas, As the country with the highest maternal death rate in the developed world, the U.S. lags behind many other countries. The U.S. also struggles with persistent racial disparities. Black mothers in the U.S. die at three to four times the rate of white mothers according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. From 2011 to 2013, pregnancy-related deaths among black women were dramatically higher than women of other races, with 43.5 deaths per 100,000 live births among black women compared to 12.7 and 14.4 deaths per 100,000 live births among white women and women of other races, respectively; and
Whereas, Michigan ranks 27th in the nation for its maternal mortality rate, and Michigan’s pregnancy-related mortality rates are particularly concerning for black women. Between 1999 and 2010, black women in Michigan experienced a pregnancy-related mortality rate of 50.8 deaths per 100,000 live births compared to 16.6 deaths per 100,000 live births for white women according to the Michigan Maternal Mortality Surveillance Project; and
Whereas, The high death rate of minority mothers is one of the widest of all racial disparities in women's health. Black women are 22 percent more likely to die from heart disease than white women and 71 percent more likely to die from cervical cancer, but they are 243 percent more likely to die from pregnancy- or childbirth-related causes. Black women are two to three times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related conditions, such as preeclampsia, eclampsia, abruptio placentae, placenta previa, and postpartum hemorrhage. These alarming statistics for black maternal health cut across socio-economic status, maternal age, and education levels; and
Whereas, Despite the nationwide need for improvements in maternal health, more than 100 diseases and conditions receive more funding from the National Institutes of Health than maternal health; and
Whereas, It is important to recognize the necessity of ending maternal mortality nationally and globally and intensifying initiatives to improve maternal health and rights. It is vital to bring attention to the state of minority and black maternal health, study and understand the root causes of poor maternal health outcomes, and support community-driven programs and care solutions. We acknowledge the crucial importance of improving prenatal care, overall maternal health care, breastfeeding rates, and nutrition. To properly address maternal health disparities, it is critical to amplify the voices of black mothers, women, families, and stakeholders, as well as people from all racial and ethnic minorities who are burdened by unjust health disparities; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the Congress of the United States to establish and fund programs that support positive health practices for minority mothers; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
