Introduced
March 17, 2026
Mr. Booker submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
RESOLUTION
Recognizing March 14, 2026, as “Black Midwives Day” and the longstanding and invaluable contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the United States.
- (1) recognizes March 14, 2026, as “Black Midwives Day”;
- (2) encourages the Federal Government and State and local governments to take proactive measures to address racial disparities in maternal health outcomes by supporting initiatives aimed at diversifying the perinatal workforce, increasing access to culturally congruent maternal health care;
- (3) commits to collaborating with relevant stakeholders to develop and enact policy solutions that promote health equity, address systemic racism, and support the advancement of Black midwifery;
- (4) calls for—
- (A) increased funding for education, training, and access to Black preceptors;
- (B) removing barriers and restrictions to Black preceptors;
- (C) providing financial pathways to support students and preceptors;
- (D) mentorship programs that focus on promoting and sustaining Black midwifery; and
- (E) removing barriers related to accreditation by recognizing midwives across all training pathways;
- (5) encourages the Federal Government and State governments to authorize the autonomous practice of all midwives to the full extent of their training;
- (6) promotes the authorization or reauthorization of funding for TRICARE and Medicaid coverage of maternity care provided by midwives of all training pathways;
- (7) encourages the Federal Government and State and local governments to take active steps to destigmatize and decriminalize midwifery pathways in the setting of choice of the pregnant person, including their homes, birth centers, clinics, or health units; and
- (8) supports and recognizes the longstanding and invaluable contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the United States.