S.Res. 646 — A resolution recognizing March 14, 2026, as "Black Midwives Day" and the longstanding and invaluable contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health in the United States.

This section recognizes March 14, 2026, as Black Midwives Day and states the sense of the Senate that (1) the federal government and state and local governments should address racial disparities in maternal health outcomes by supporting initiatives to diversify the perinatal workforce and increase access to culturally congruent maternal health care; (2) Congress should collaborate with stakeholders to develop policies promoting health equity, addressing systemic racism, and advancing Black midwifery; (3) funding should increase for education, training, and access to Black preceptors, barriers to Black preceptors should be removed, financial support should be provided for students and preceptors, mentorship programs should promote Black midwifery, and barriers to accreditation should be removed by recognizing all midwifery training pathways; (4) the federal government and states should authorize autonomous midwifery practice to the full extent of training; (5) TRICARE and Medicaid should cover maternity care by midwives of all training pathways; (6) the federal government and state and local governments should destigmatize and decriminalize midwifery in settings chosen by pregnant individuals, including homes, birth centers, clinics, or health units; and (7) the contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health should be supported and recognized.