Floor SpeechUrgent2025-03-24

RECOGNIZING BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

HealthcareCivil Rights

Context

On 2025-03-24, Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA-17) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA" in the House. The speech addressed healthcare and also covered civil rights.

Full Text

RECOGNIZING BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 53 (Monday, March 24, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 53 (Monday, March 24, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E244] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA ______ HON. RO KHANNA of california in the house of representatives Monday, March 24, 2025 Mr. KHANNA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Black Maternal Health Week from April 11 to April 17 in Santa Clara County. This annual observance highlights the urgent need to address disparities in maternal health outcomes for Black women, ensuring that all mothers receive equitable, respectful, and high-quality healthcare. The United States continues to face a maternal health crisis, with Black women experiencing significantly higher rates of pregnancy- related complications and maternal mortality compared to their white counterparts. These tragic and preventable outcomes stem from systemic inequities, implicit bias in healthcare, and social determinants that disproportionately impact Black mothers. Santa Clara County has taken meaningful steps to acknowledge and address these disparities and commit to initiatives that improve maternal health access, education, and outcomes. Community-based organizations, healthcare advocates, and local leaders are working tirelessly to ensure that Black mothers receive the culturally competent care and support they deserve. I commend the leadership in Santa Clara County for prioritizing this critical issue and uplifting Black maternal health as a matter of public health and racial justice. However, we must do more at the federal level to address these inequities. I call upon my colleagues in Congress to support legislation such as the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, which aims to expand access to healthcare, invest in community-driven solutions, and promote policies that will save lives. Black Maternal Health Week is not just a time for awareness but a call to action. We must listen to the voices of Black mothers, amplify their experiences, and enact meaningful change to ensure that maternal health equity becomes a reality. ____________________

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RECOGNIZING BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 53 (Monday, March 24, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 53 (Monday, March 24, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E244] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA ______ HON. RO KHANNA of california in the house of representatives Monday, March 24, 2025 Mr. KHANNA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Black Maternal Health Week from April 11 to April 17 in Santa Clara County. This annual observance highlights the urgent need to address disparities in maternal health outcomes for Black women, ensuring that all mothers receive equitable, respectful, and high-quality healthcare. The United States continues to face a maternal health crisis, with Black women experiencing significantly higher rates of pregnancy- related complications and maternal mortality compared to their white counterparts. These tragic and preventable outcomes stem from systemic inequities, implicit bias in healthcare, and social determinants that disproportionately impact Black mothers. Santa Clara County has taken meaningful steps to acknowledge and address these disparities and commit to initiatives that improve maternal health access, education, and outcomes. Community-based organizations, healthcare advocates, and local leaders are working tirelessly to ensure that Black mothers receive the culturally competent care and support they deserve. I commend the leadership in Santa Clara County for prioritizing this critical issue and uplifting Black maternal health as a matter of public health and racial justice. However, we must do more at the federal level to address these inequities. I call upon my colleagues in Congress to support legislation such as the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, which aims to expand access to healthcare, invest in community-driven solutions, and promote policies that will save lives. Black Maternal Health Week is not just a time for awareness but a call to action. We must listen to the voices of Black mothers, amplify their experiences, and enact meaningful change to ensure that maternal health equity becomes a reality. ____________________