PA HR117

Designates March 14, 2025, as "Black Midwives Day" in Pennsylvania to recognize the contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health

Acknowledges the national campaign founded by the National Black Midwives Alliance in 2023 to promote awareness, activism, education, and historical preservation of Black midwifery

Highlights maternal health disparities: in 2020, the pregnancy-related mortality ratio for Black women in Pennsylvania was nearly three times higher than for White women, and 93.5% of pregnancy-related deaths were deemed preventable

Notes that Black communities are disproportionately affected by maternity care deserts lacking hospitals, birth centers, or obstetric providers

Recognizes that midwifery-led care is associated with cost savings, reduced cesarean rates, decreased preterm births, and improved health outcomes for mothers and babies