HRES231-119

That the House of Representatives— encourages Federal, 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; 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; calls for increased funding for education and training, increased access to Black preceptors, removing barriers and restrictions to said preceptors, providing financial pathways to support students and preceptors, and mentorship programs that focus on promoting and sustaining Black midwifery and removing barriers related to accreditation by recognizing midwives across all training pathways; encourages Federal and State governments to authorize the autonomous practice of all midwives to the full extent of their training; promotes the authorization or reauthorization of funding for TRICARE and Medicaid coverage of maternity care provided by midwives of all training pathways; encourages Federal, State, and local governments to take active steps to destigmatize and decriminalize midwifery pathways in the pregnant person’s setting of choice, including their homes, birth centers, clinics, or health units; and supports and recognizes the longstanding and invaluable contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the United States.