Black Maternal Heath Week; April 11-17, 2026; recognize
House Resolution 1744 is a commemorative resolution that recognizes April 11-17, 2026, as Black Maternal Health Week in Georgia. The resolution explains the purpose of the observance as drawing attention to the maternal and reproductive health crisis affecting Black women and birthing persons, and it cites national and Georgia-specific data on maternal mortality, infant mortality, preventable pregnancy-related deaths, maternity care deserts, and disparities in outcomes by race.
The resolution also highlights structural and systemic factors that it says contribute to these disparities, including racism, gender oppression, limited access to obstetric and postpartum care, low Medicaid reimbursement, workforce shortages, and barriers faced by midwives, doulas, community-based organizations, and pregnant workers. It calls attention to the need for culturally congruent, justice-informed care, expanded maternal health programming, continuous postpartum insurance coverage, and policies that support comprehensive maternal care free from discrimination.
As a House resolution, HR 1744 does not amend Georgia statutes, create new regulatory requirements, or appropriate funds. Its legal effect is limited to formally recognizing Black Maternal Health Week and authorizing distribution of the resolution to the public and press. Its practical impact is symbolic and agenda-setting, using the House’s platform to highlight maternal health disparities and encourage attention to maternal health policy, access to care, and racial equity in health outcomes.
The overall sentiment reflected in the resolution is strongly supportive of Black maternal health advocacy and reform. The bill text is framed in urgent, remedial terms, emphasizing preventable deaths, inequities, and the need for expanded care and protections. No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no evidence of recorded opposition or amendment activity in the available materials.
The resolution itself is not controversial in procedural terms because it is a nonbinding recognition measure, but it identifies several policy areas that are often contentious in broader maternal health debates. These include the role of race-conscious health policy, reproductive rights after Roe v. Wade, Medicaid reimbursement levels, licensure and reimbursement for midwives and doulas, workplace accommodations for pregnant workers, and criminal justice practices such as shackling and drug testing. The text suggests support for expanded public investment and postpartum coverage, while implicitly criticizing systems and policies that contributors to maternal health disparities may defend or view differently.