Representative Angie Craig Leads Introduction of Legislation to Improve Maternal Health Care for Native Women

Statement

Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig (MN-02) led several of her colleagues in reintroducing the Native Women's Maternal Health Resolution, which seeks to create and improve access for Indigenous women to comprehensive and culturally competent maternal health care and family planning services. The resolution would continue to shed light on the maternal health crisis among Indigenous women in the United States and help to address the critical need to reduce the tragically high rates of mortality and morbidity among American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian women.

Craig was joined in introducing the legislation by Representatives Pete Aguilar (CA-31), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Kaialiʻi Kahele (HI-02), Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-02), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01), Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40) and Lauren Underwood (IL-14). Last Congress, the Native Women's Maternal Health Resolution was led by Representative Deb Haaland, who represented New Mexico's First Congressional District. Haaland now serves as the Secretary of Interior in the Biden Administration.

"In the United States, Native women face significantly higher rates of death or serious illness during childbirth, a heartbreaking statistic that the federal government must take urgent action to reverse," said Representative Craig. "It's absolutely critical that we continue to shed light on this crisis and enact policy solutions that will ensure every woman in America has access to high-quality maternal health care and family planning services in their own communities. I am proud to reintroduce this important legislation and to carry on Secretary Haaland's incredible work to improve the lives of American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian women across this country."

"The federal government has a special political relationship and trust responsibility to American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians, who are disproportionately affected by the maternal health crisis and often do not receive adequate care," said Representative Kaialiʻi Kahele. "Our resolution calls on the United States to fulfill their obligation to ensure comprehensive and culturally competent maternal health and family planning services are available to our Native communities."

"The maternal mortality rate in the U.S. is, frankly, shameful -- and the outcomes of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian mothers are consistently worse than other groups. We must call attention to this crisis and work as the federal government to uphold our trust responsibility," saidRepresentative Sharice Davids. "I've introduced legislation to address the maternal health crisis among Indigenous women and I'm proud to join Representative Craig and my colleagues to further that goal today."

"Addressing the maternal health crisis among Indigenous women deserves our attention and focus in Congress," said Representative Betty McCollum, Vice Chair of the Native American Caucus. "The federal government has unique trust and treaty responsibilities to provide high quality health care throughout Indian Country. For far too long, Native American women -- especially those of child-bearing age -- have been disproportionately impacted by the lack of these critical health care investments. Native American women experience higher rates of pregnancy-related complications like hypertension and diabetes and a greater risk of maternal mortality. Preventing these tragedies requires breaking down barriers to care and increasing access to culturally competent prenatal, delivery, and family planning services. I'm proud to join Rep. Craig in introducing the Native Women's Maternal Health Resolution to draw attention to this crisis."

"For far too long, the health care needs of tribal communities have been overlooked and underfunded by the federal government, enabling more disease, suffering, and an unacceptable lack of quality, specialized care, especially maternal care and basic women's health needs," said Representative Tom O'Halleran. "To that end, I am joining my colleagues today on this important legislative measure calling attention to the maternal health crisis among indigenous women in the United States. As the representative for Arizona's First Congressional District, in which 12 sovereign nations reside, I vow to continue my work to ensure that tribal families have access to high quality, affordable health care, especially maternal care."

"I am honored to join Congresswoman Craig to introduce this resolution recognizing and calling for action to address the Native American maternal mortality crisis," said Representative Lauren Underwood. "I'm proud that my Momnibus package includes specific investments to save the lives of Native American mothers and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get these bills passed and signed into law."