Cortez Masto Joins Colleagues to Introduce Black Maternal Health Week Resolution

U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) in introducing a resolution to recognize April 11 through April 17 as Black Maternal Health Week to raise awareness of the need to reduce Black maternal health disparities.

"I'm glad to help lead this effort to not only highlight the disparities Black women face in maternal care, but also to make a difference in our communities," said Senator Cortez Masto. "It's unacceptable that Black mothers are not receiving the care and support they should have. That's why I've always fought to deliver inclusive, quality health care to Nevada families, and I'll keep working to support Black mothers in our state and across the country."

The U.S. maternal mortality rate is disproportionately higher for Black women and people of color. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021 the maternal mortality rate for Black women was more than 2.6 times greater than the maternal mortality rate for white women.

Cortez Masto's resolution underscores the disproportionate health complications suffered by Black women during pregnancy and calls on Congress to enact policies advancing Black maternal health equity.

The full text of supporting organizations can be found here.

To read the full text of the resolution, click here.

Senator Cortez Masto consistently fought for Nevada's Black communities and families. She pushed for additional resources for mothers in the American Rescue Plan, delivering $200 million for maternal and child health care, expanded Medicaid coverage for postpartum women, and increased Affordable Care Act subsidies for qualifying and insured Nevadans. She's a cosponsor of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act to address the drivers of maternal mortality and health disparities in the U.S.

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