A resolution recognizing March 14, 2025, as "Black Midwives Day" and the longstanding and invaluable contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the United States.
S. Res. 128 is a nonbinding Senate resolution introduced by Senator Cory Booker that designates March 14, 2025, as “Black Midwives Day” and honors the longstanding contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the United States. Beyond recognizing the historical and ongoing role of Black midwives, the resolution calls on federal, state, and local governments to take concrete steps to improve access to culturally congruent perinatal care, address racial disparities in maternal health, and support the growth and autonomy of Black midwifery across training pathways. It emphasizes policy actions such as increasing education and mentorship opportunities, removing barriers to Black preceptors, ensuring funding for training and accreditation, and expanding coverage for midwife-provided maternity care through TRICARE and Medicaid. As a resolution, it is symbolic and nonbinding, but it signals congressional support for expanding midwifery and addressing systemic racism in maternal health.
Key Points
- 1Recognition and purpose: Declares March 14, 2025, as “Black Midwives Day” and acknowledges the essential contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health, linking their work to human rights, reproductive justice, and birth justice frameworks.
- 2Addressing disparities and access: Urges federal, state, and local governments to take proactive steps to reduce racial disparities in maternal health by diversifying the perinatal workforce and increasing access to culturally congruent care.
- 3Workforce development and accreditation: Calls for increased funding and support for education, training, and access to Black preceptors; removal of barriers to Black preceptors; financial pathways for students and preceptors; mentorship programs; and recognition of midwives across all training pathways to ease accreditation barriers.
- 4Autonomy and coverage: Encourages authorization of autonomous practice for midwives to the full extent of their training and supports funding or expansion of TRICARE and Medicaid coverage for maternity care provided by midwives across all training pathways.
- 5Decriminalization and setting of care: Urges efforts to destigmatize and decriminalize midwifery pathways in all birthing settings chosen by the pregnant person (home, birth center, clinic, hospital), and to recognize and honor the role of Black midwives in improving perinatal health.