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 Senate resolution designating March 14, 2025, as “Black Midwives Day” and formally recognizing the contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the United States. The resolution is largely commemorative, but it also uses the occasion to highlight the national maternal health crisis, especially the high rates of maternal mortality and morbidity among Black birthing people, the shortage of maternity care providers in many communities, and the role of midwifery in improving outcomes.
The resolution emphasizes that midwife-led care can reduce medical interventions, lower cesarean and preterm birth rates, improve maternal and infant outcomes, and expand access to culturally congruent care. It frames Black midwifery as part of broader efforts to address structural racism, reproductive justice, and birth justice, and it calls attention to the historical suppression and criminalization of Black and direct-entry midwives. It also encourages greater support for education, training, mentorship, preceptors, and pathways to practice, as well as Medicaid and TRICARE coverage for midwifery services.
In terms of legal and policy impact, the resolution does not itself change federal or state law, create a new program, or appropriate funds. Instead, it expresses the sense of the Senate and urges federal, state, and local governments to take steps such as diversifying the perinatal workforce, removing barriers to midwifery, recognizing midwives across training pathways, and supporting autonomous practice to the extent allowed by training and law. It also encourages efforts to decriminalize and destigmatize midwifery in home, birth center, clinic, and other settings.
The general sentiment around the bill is strongly supportive and celebratory. The resolution is written in affirming terms, honoring Black midwives and presenting their work as essential to improving maternal and infant health outcomes, particularly for Black families. The bill’s framing suggests broad support for expanding access to culturally competent maternity care and for addressing racial disparities in maternal health.
The main points of contention are implicit rather than explicit in the text and context. The resolution criticizes the criminalization and overregulation of midwifery, especially direct-entry pathways, which suggests disagreement over licensing, accreditation, scope of practice, and autonomous practice for midwives. It also raises issues that can be politically sensitive, including systemic racism in health care, funding for maternal health workforce development, and whether Medicaid and TRICARE should cover midwifery services across all training pathways.
This resolution has no direct statutory effect and does not amend the U.S. Code or federal regulations. Its practical impact is symbolic and agenda-setting: it places the Senate on record supporting Black midwives and urging policy changes related to maternal health equity, midwifery workforce development, and access to culturally congruent care. The resolution may influence future federal, state, and local legislation, licensing rules, Medicaid policy, and professional training standards affecting midwives, doulas, preceptors, and birthing families.
The overall sentiment is positive and supportive. The resolution is framed as a recognition of Black midwives’ historical and ongoing contributions and as a response to urgent maternal and infant health disparities. Because there is no recorded vote or committee debate in the provided context, there is no evidence of organized opposition in the materials supplied, and the bill appears to be presented as a consensus-oriented recognition measure.
The resolution points to several areas of likely policy disagreement, even though no formal opposition is shown in the provided record. The most notable issues are the regulation of midwifery, especially direct-entry and autonomous practice, and whether states should reduce licensing, accreditation, or criminal penalties that affect midwives. Another likely point of contention is the call for broader public coverage and support, including Medicaid and TRICARE reimbursement, as well as funding for education, preceptors, and mentorship programs. The bill also explicitly ties maternal health policy to systemic racism and reproductive justice, which may be politically contested in some settings.