A bill to prevent maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity among Black pregnant and postpartum individuals and other underserved populations, to provide training in respectful maternity care, to reduce and prevent bias, racism, and discrimination in maternity care settings, and for other purposes.

Plain-English Summary

This bill aims to reduce the number of pregnancy-related deaths and serious health complications among Black women and other underserved groups during and after pregnancy. It focuses on addressing racial disparities in maternity care, which research has shown result in Black women dying from pregnancy-related causes at significantly higher rates than white women. The bill works toward closing this gap by targeting the systems and practices within healthcare settings that contribute to these outcomes.

To accomplish these goals, the bill would establish training programs for healthcare workers in what it calls "respectful maternity care" — meaning care that is attentive, unbiased, and responsive to each patient's needs and concerns. The training would specifically focus on recognizing and reducing bias, racism, and discrimination that can occur in medical settings, which experts have identified as contributing factors to poor maternal health outcomes for Black women and other marginalized groups.

The bill primarily affects pregnant and postpartum individuals — particularly Black women and people from other underserved communities — as well as the healthcare providers and facilities that care for them. Hospitals, clinics, and medical training programs could be impacted by new standards or funding tied to this legislation. The broader goal is to make maternity care safer and more equitable across the country.

The bill has been introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, where it will be reviewed before any further legislative action takes place.