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About the Caucus

About the Black Maternal Health Caucus

"As a Black mother and grandmother, I'm proud to launch the Black Maternal Health Caucus to ensure that Black women and infants have the rights, respect, and resources to thrive before, during, and after pregnancy." - Congresswoman Alma Adams, Co-Founder & Co-Chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus

"I'm honored to work with my colleagues in Congress and partners in industry, nonprofits, and the Administration to find solutions to ending disparities and achieving optimal birth outcomes for all families." - Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, Co-Founder & Co-Chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus

Goal

The Black Maternal Health Caucus is organized around the goals of elevating the Black maternal health crisis within Congress and advancing policy solutions to improve maternal health outcomes and end disparities.

History

Congresswomen Alma Adams (NC-12) and Lauren Underwood (IL-14) launched the Black Maternal Health Caucus on April 9th, 2019. With 53 founding members, the Caucus has grown to be one of the largest bipartisan caucuses in Congress, with more than 100 members as of January 2020.

"Racial disparities in maternal health have not improved in three decades. Regardless of educational attainment and income, Black women and their children are at risk. As a Black mother and grandmother, I'm proud to launch the Black Maternal Health Caucus to ensure that Black women and infants have the rights, respect, and resources to thrive before, during, and after pregnancy." - Black Maternal Health Caucus Founder & Co-Chair Rep. Alma Adams

"It's both alarming and unacceptable that maternal mortality rates continue to rise in the United States, and the situation is even worse for Black women, who are three to four times more likely to die. Simply put, this issue affects too many women and families and will take a comprehensive approach to end. I'm honored to work with my colleagues in Congress and partners in industry, nonprofits, and the Administration to find solutions to ending disparities and achieving optimal birth outcomes for all families." - Black Maternal Health Caucus Founder & Co-Chair Representative Lauren Underwood

From the Experts on Black Maternal Health

"I am excited that the Black Maternal Health Caucus is committed to reducing the longstanding and unacceptably high rates of maternal mortality that black and Native American women experience in this country. It will take action at all levels and a commitment to health equity and high quality maternal health care if we are to lower the rates of preventable maternal death and morbidity for women in the United States. I applaud the Black Maternal Health Caucus for their energy and commitment to this important task." – Elizabeth Howell, MD, MPP, Professor and Director: Blavatnik Family Women's Health Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
 

"After years of efforts that would make access to health care out of reach for those most vulnerable in our communities, it's great to see Black women on Capitol Hill leading the charge on what must be done to narrow disparities in our health care system. The formation of this caucus makes clear the imperative to confront the systemic racism that is yielding maternal mortality rates for Black women that are three times higher than their white peers. I look forward to working with the Black Maternal Health Caucus and supporting its mission." – Dr. Jamila Taylor, Director of Health Care Reform and Senior Fellow: The Century Foundation

"We are grateful to Congresswoman Adams and Congresswoman Underwood for creating a unique space to raise awareness on this issue and for creating a path forward to ensure that the human rights of Black mothers are protected by making their health a national priority." – Jennifer Jacoby Altscher, Federal Policy Counsel: Center for Reproductive Rights

"The Black Mamas Matter Alliance is grateful to Congresswoman Adams and Congresswoman Underwood for their leadership in establishing the Black Maternal Health Caucus. This is truly a historic achievement that comes at a critical moment when action to improve Black maternal health experiences and outcomes is greatly needed. We are hopeful that the Black Maternal Health Caucus will raise awareness among policymakers about maternal mortality and morbidity affecting the Black community and inspire meaningful legislative action. Thank you for insisting that Black Mamas Matter!" Elizabeth Dawes Gay, Former Co-Director and Co-Founder: Black Mamas Matter Alliance

From Congressional Leaders

"Too many mamas have already died. Too many kids are already growing up without a mother. Too many families are living a nightmare that doesn't end." – Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust & Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls

"Across the country, maternal health care inequities continue to exact a devastating toll on women of color and their families. The entire Caucus and Congress salute Congresswoman Alma Adams and Congresswoman Lauren Underwood for their tireless, solutions-focused leadership in creating the Black Maternal Healthcare Caucus to advance life-saving progress for millions of Black families from family planning through infancy and beyond. This new coalition will be critical in helping Democrats honor our nation's values of equality and fairness by righting the injustices faced by Black women and ensuring that all American mothers and their children have access to the care they need to grow and thrive." – Speaker Nancy Pelosi

"I am proud to be a founding member of the Black Maternal Health Caucus. African-American women in Maryland's Fifth District and across the nation face significant disparities in health care, and are nearly four times more likely to die from preventable pregnancy-related complications. Congress has a role to play in addressing this challenge, and as Majority Leader, I am committed to working with Representatives Alma Adams and Lauren Underwood, as well as House Democrats, to ensure we take action to improve outcomes and end these disparities." – Representative Steny Hoyer

"We have a black maternal health crisis in this country. The U.S. has worse rates of maternal death than any other developed country, and for black women, the statistics are even worse. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, black women are four times more likely to die from preventable, pregnancy-related complications. These numbers highlight the racial disparities that continue to exist in our health care system. A maternal death is more than just a number or part of a count; it is a tragedy that leaves a hole in a family and a community. I applaud Congresswomen Lauren Underwood and Alma Adams for leading the effort to elevate black maternal health as a national priority. I am proud to be a founding member of the Black Maternal Health Caucus so we can work towards finding solutions to this important issue and eliminate the inequities in maternal health outcomes." Representative James E. Clyburn

"According to the American Journal of Public Health, black women in the United States are more likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth than women of any other race. That is unforgivable and preventable. For that reason, I am proud to serve as a member of the Black Maternal Health Caucus and commend my colleagues for their commitment to protecting black women and dissolving this shameful disparity." Representative Hakeem Jeffries

"The likelihood that a mother survives childbirth shouldn't depend on the color of her skin or the size of her bank account. The creation of the Black Maternal Health Caucus will allow us to put a spotlight on health outcomes disparities in our country and implement policies that promote better solutions for all communities." – Representative Katherine Clark

"More women die from pregnancy-related complications in the United States than any other developed country, with Black women being three to four times more likely to die from complications than white women. These numbers are staggering and Black women deserve better. The Black Maternal Health Caucus is an important body to help our nation develop a sustained and comprehensive strategy to reduce the untimely deaths of so many Black women. The caucus will lead on introducing legislation to address this epidemic and ensure the deaths of Black women are not overlooked." – Representative Karen Bass

"In the United States of America, the quality of the care you receive should not depend on the color of your skin, where you live, or your ability to pay. Adequate and proper maternal care ensures children start life out healthy and strong. In Michigan, I've spent my life fighting for improving maternal and children's health. This important caucus will bring together critical stakeholders to address this crisis and improve the health of all families." – Representative Debbie Dingell

"Having spent nearly three decades caring for mothers, I believe it should be a national priority to eliminate all preventable maternal mortality – even a single maternal death is too many. The good news is some institutions such as Parkland Memorial Hospital are leading the nation in providing excellence of care. Their model could be used throughout the country to ensure quality care for mothers and their babies throughout pregnancy and during the post-partum period. Both sides can build on the success of last Congress with the passage of the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act of 2018 and continue to work in a bipartisan manner to address this pressing issue." Representative Michael Burgess, MD

"The United States has one of the worst rates of maternal death in the developed world—and the problem is especially pronounced for Black women. From higher mortality rates to higher rates of complications and infant mortality, the statistics are alarming. There are real people behind these facts and figures, and Congress should be doing better by them. That is why I am proud to stand with Black women as a founding member of the Black Maternal Health Caucus." – Representative Rosa DeLauro

"Pregnant Black women in America are dying at a rate of three to four times greater than white women, driving our country's dismal maternal mortality rate higher than it was 25 years ago. As a member of the Congressional Caucus on Black Maternal Heath, I am committed to working with my colleagues to address this injustice and ensure that mothers in America have critically-needed access to high-quality, affordable health care." – Representative Jackie Speier

"I am truly concerned with the idea that each year nearly 700 women in the U.S. die as a result of pregnancy or delivery complications, and the risk of pregnancy-related death is three to four times as high for Black women. The fight for human life must include the lives of pregnant Black mothers. Through strong advocacy and effective policy, the Congressional Caucus on Black Maternal can bring a voice to a group of women who needs deserve to be heard. It is time we provide adequate resources to our expecting moms and help end this rising epidemic." – Representative Brenda Lawrence

"We cannot ignore the Black maternal health crisis in this country. In North Carolina, Black women are nearly three times more likely than their white counterparts to die from pregnancy-related complications, regardless of class or education status. I'm pleased to be a founding member of the Congressional Caucus on Black Maternal Health. It is critical for Congress to do more to advocate for Black women and eradicate these racial disparities without delay." – Representative David Price

"It is a devastating shame that in the United States of America, the maternal mortality rate exceeds that of any other developed nation in the world. Even more tragic is the fact that African American women are dying during childbirth at a higher rate in our country than other subgroups. Many counties in North Carolina's First Congressional District have maternal mortality rates that exceed national averages. We simply cannot and must not accept the status quo. I am encouraged to see that targeted healthcare programs for low-income women in my home State of North Carolina have been implemented to help close the maternal mortality race gap. We must work together to address this major problem and find solutions. Women should not have to die to give life, and I look forward to serving as a Member of the Congressional Caucus on Black Maternal Health to help tackle these pressing matters." – Representative G. K. Butterfield

"Maternal mortality is higher in the U.S. than in any other industrialized nation, and Black women are three times more likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth as white women. I'm joining the Black Maternal Health Caucus to help reverse this disturbing trend, raise awareness and create solutions to help Black moms and babies from every community get the care they need." – Representative Terri Sewell

"Nationally, Black infant mortality is more than twice as high as white infant mortality. These disturbing outcomes are not isolated to infants, currently Black mothers in Texas face almost double the maternal mortality rate than the U.S. national average. Protecting the health of Black mothers and infants needs to be a top priority for our country. While we are one of the world's leaders in medical advancements, it is unconscionable that this country still has the highest maternal and infant mortality in the developed world. It's unacceptable, and it's why I'm proud to become a founding Member of the Congressional Caucus on Black Maternal Health to act on this critical health crisis in the Black community." – Representative Marc Veasey

"It is an honor to be a founding member of the Congressional Caucus on Black Maternal Health and I thank Reps. Adams and Underwood for launching it. The Caucus will shine an important light on the worsening national crisis of maternal health outcomes for Black women. It is appalling in this day and age that the world's richest nation has the worst rates of maternal death among other developed countries. Not only must we raise awareness on this issue, but we need to develop and support solutions that improve Black maternal health. I commend Congresswoman Adams' and Underwood's vision and leadership and I look forward to ensuring Black maternal health improves in our nation." – Representative Grace Meng

"In a country as prosperous and blessed as the United States, the extreme disparity in maternal mortality rates for Black mothers is simply unacceptable. Let's support mothers of color in our communities. Through the Black Maternal Health Caucus we can lift up solutions to this persistent and pernicious problem." – Representative Charlie Crist

"All mothers and children deserve a healthy start no matter who they are or what their background. However, women of color experience far worse maternal health outcomes and this disparity is standing in the way of raising healthy families. The Congressional Caucus on Black Maternal Health will be a guiding force to ensure that we close the gaps in health that Black women experience when bringing children into the world." – Representative Deb Haaland

"No parent expecting a child should have to live in fear that their child will live without them because of our country's faulty health care system. Unfortunately, we know that this is the case for many Black expectant mothers. This must change. I support the efforts of the Black Maternal Health Caucus to fight to see the standard of care elevated so that this fateful trend of high maternal mortality is put on a path to being stomped out entirely." – Representative Rashida Tlaib