AL HR190

Recognizes Sunday, May 12, 2019, as March of Dimes Day in Alabama to honor mothers and support maternal and infant health initiatives.

Notes that 12 percent of Alabama babies are born prematurely annually and Alabama received an "F" grade on the March of Dimes 2018 Premature Birth Report Card.

Documents that the preterm birth rate among black women is 51 percent higher than other races in Alabama, and black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women.

Identifies 19 Alabama counties as maternal care deserts lacking adequate access to maternity care services, as reported by March of Dimes in "Nowhere to Go."

Commits the House to work with March of Dimes and partners to support policies and solutions addressing health care access disparities to ensure healthy mothers and strong babies.