[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 17, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H2486]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 FOCUSING ON BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK

  (Ms. STANSBURY asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. STANSBURY. Mr. Speaker, this week we are closing out Black 
Maternal Health Week, focused on bringing attention, awareness, and, 
most importantly, action to improving maternal health for Black 
mothers.
  Across the United States, Black mothers are three times more likely 
to die from pregnancy, making them the most at risk for maternal 
mortality of any group. In New Mexico, our Black babies have the 
highest ratio of infant mortality and premature births.
  In addition, Black women and families are more likely to experience 
economic instability, lack of access, racism, and implicit bias within 
the system.
  Black maternal health is a crisis that demands action. That is why I 
am proud to cosponsor Representative Lauren Underwood's Black Maternal 
Momnibus Act to help address the leading causes because access to care 
is a right, not a privilege, and we cannot leave Black women alone in 
this fight.
  Our Black mothers are strong and resilient, and we must work every 
day to ensure that they have the respect, support, and care they need.

                          ____________________