[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 53 (Monday, March 24, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY, 
                               CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RO KHANNA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 24, 2025

  Mr. KHANNA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Black Maternal 
Health Week from April 11 to April 17 in Santa Clara County. This 
annual observance highlights the urgent need to address disparities in 
maternal health outcomes for Black women, ensuring that all mothers 
receive equitable, respectful, and high-quality healthcare.
  The United States continues to face a maternal health crisis, with 
Black women experiencing significantly higher rates of pregnancy-
related complications and maternal mortality compared to their white 
counterparts. These tragic and preventable outcomes stem from systemic 
inequities, implicit bias in healthcare, and social determinants that 
disproportionately impact Black mothers.
  Santa Clara County has taken meaningful steps to acknowledge and 
address these disparities and commit to initiatives that improve 
maternal health access, education, and outcomes. Community-based 
organizations, healthcare advocates, and local leaders are working 
tirelessly to ensure that Black mothers receive the culturally 
competent care and support they deserve.
  I commend the leadership in Santa Clara County for prioritizing this 
critical issue and uplifting Black maternal health as a matter of 
public health and racial justice. However, we must do more at the 
federal level to address these inequities. I call upon my colleagues in 
Congress to support legislation such as the Black Maternal Health 
Momnibus Act, which aims to expand access to healthcare, invest in 
community-driven solutions, and promote policies that will save lives.
  Black Maternal Health Week is not just a time for awareness but a 
call to action. We must listen to the voices of Black mothers, amplify 
their experiences, and enact meaningful change to ensure that maternal 
health equity becomes a reality.

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