[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 545 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 545

 Supporting the ideals of Bump Day, a global advocacy day for maternal 
  health, and reaffirming United States leadership to end preventable 
           maternal deaths in the United States and globally.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 21, 2021

   Ms. Houlahan (for herself, Mr. McCaul, Ms. Roybal-Allard, and Ms. 
Herrera Beutler) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
                to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Supporting the ideals of Bump Day, a global advocacy day for maternal 
  health, and reaffirming United States leadership to end preventable 
           maternal deaths in the United States and globally.

Whereas Bump Day, an annual global social media campaign that celebrates 
        beautiful bumps and healthy pregnancies while raising awareness about 
        the urgent need for better, more accessible, more respectful, and more 
        responsive maternal health care, promotes healthy pregnancies, safe 
        births, and healthy babies in the United States and around the world;
Whereas the World Health Organization estimates approximately 810 women die from 
        preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth every day around 
        the world;
Whereas 1 in 5 deliveries globally happens without any medical help;
Whereas pregnant women who do not receive prenatal care during pregnancy in the 
        United States are 3 to 4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related 
        complications;
Whereas 80 percent of all maternal deaths worldwide are preventable, as are \2/
        3\ of maternal deaths in the United States;
Whereas women in the United States are more likely to die from childbirth or 
        pregnancy-related complications than women in all other developed 
        countries, and the United States is the only developed nation in the 
        world where maternal mortality is currently increasing;
Whereas Black and American Indian/Alaska Native women in the United States are 2 
        to 4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to 
        White women, and furthermore, more than 50,000 women a year in the 
        United States experience life-threatening pregnancy complications;
Whereas risks to moms in the United States and globally have risen even higher 
        due to widening gaps in maternal health care during the COVID-19 
        pandemic, as well as due to serious pregnancy risks associated with 
        maternal COVID-19 infection;
Whereas proper preconception management of chronic conditions such as diabetes, 
        hypertension, and periodontal disease can reduce the risk of serious 
        pregnancy complications for both a mom and her baby;
Whereas intimate partner violence (IPV) is a leading cause of maternal death, 
        and women are more likely to experience IPV during pregnancy than at any 
        other time in their lives;
Whereas IPV during pregnancy and postpartum crosses every demographic and has 
        been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic;
Whereas doula support has been shown to improve pregnancy, birth, and postpartum 
        outcomes, lower pregnancy- and childbirth-related costs by lowering 
        rates of cesarean birth, epidural anesthesia, and other interventions, 
        and reduce the impact of racial bias on pregnant and postpartum women of 
        color;
Whereas 1 in 7 women in the United States experience perinatal mood and anxiety 
        disorders (PMAD) and untreated PMADs cost the United States $14.2 
        billion annually;
Whereas incarcerated pregnant and postpartum women face heightened risks for 
        maternal mortality and complications, as well as maternal mood 
        disorders, and should be provided the highest standard of care;
Whereas the rate of maternal mortality and morbidity in rural and other 
        underserved areas is disproportionately high due to challenges in 
        accessing the comprehensive, affordable, quality maternal health care 
        that all moms deserve;
Whereas every mom deserves the respectful, responsive care and support she needs 
        to deliver a safe pregnancy, healthy birth, and healthy future to 
        herself and her baby; and
Whereas Wednesday, July 21, 2021, and all subsequent third Wednesdays in July 
        would be an appropriate annual day for the celebration of ``Bump Day'': 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That Congress--
            (1) celebrates Bump Day's goal of helping to raise 
        awareness about the need for improved maternal health care in 
        the United States and globally, and of ending all preventable 
        maternal deaths;
            (2) recognizes the critical role of health workers, 
        including obstetricians, midwives, mental health providers, and 
        doulas in achieving safe, healthy pregnancies and deliveries in 
        the United States and globally;
            (3) recognizes the benefits of evidence-based group 
        prenatal and postpartum care approaches;
            (4) recognizes the role of fathers and other partners in 
        supporting healthy pregnancies and safe births, as well as 
        initiation and success of breastfeeding; and
            (5) reaffirms continued leadership by the United States to 
        combat preventable maternal deaths in the United States and 
        globally.
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