Around the world, maternal mortality rates have been steadily decreasing for most countries. In the United States, however, the rates of pregnancy-related death and injury are actually increasing with most severe consequences for Black women who are dying at rates 3-4 times higher as compared to their white counterparts. This is a moral outrage and swift action must be taken to address this crisis.

The Black Maternal Health Caucus introduced the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act (H.R.595/S.346) which seeks to make investments that will fund research, increase and diversify the workforce, and address the social determinants of health like housing and nutrition. We know that many pregnancy-related deaths are preventable; this legislation takes important strides in making sure pregnant people have access to the care and resources they need to have a healthy pregnancy. Critically, this bill focuses on the racial disparities in access to care and services that have resulted in such a high rate of Black maternal mortality.

Please join us in urging Congress to take immediate action to pass the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act. Our country is failing to protect mothers and pregnant people because of a failure to adequately address racial and health disparities across the board. It is an abject moral atrocity and can be turned around with the right investments and political will. Your voice is needed as a person of faith to help reverse the course on maternal mortality.