Congresswoman Alma Adams has reintroduced federal legislation aimed at addressing the persistent maternal mortality crisis in the United States, with a focus on racial disparities that continue to affect Black women disproportionately.
The North Carolina lawmaker announced the reintroduction of the Kira Johnson Act, alongside Raphael Warnock, describing the bill as a critical step toward preventing avoidable maternal deaths and improving accountability in maternity care.
“Kira Johnson is one of the many women who we have lost too soon,” Adams said in a statement. “Black moms matter, Kira Johnson matters, and we need Congress to stand up and take real action.”
The legislation is named after Kira Johnson, who died after giving birth to her son when medical staff allegedly failed to respond to signs of internal bleeding for more than 10 hours. Her death has since become a rallying point for maternal health advocates pushing for systemic reform.
According to Adams, Black women in the United States remain two to three times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related complications, with an estimated 80% of such deaths considered preventable.
The Kira Johnson Act seeks to address these disparities through a combination of policy measures, including increased investment in community-based organizations, initiatives to confront racial bias in healthcare, and stronger oversight of maternity care practices.
A key component of the bill is the establishment of Respectful Maternity Care Compliance Programs, which would provide mechanisms for patients to report instances of bias, neglect, or mistreatment during pregnancy and postpartum care.
Raphael Warnock underscored the urgency of the issue, calling maternal mortality rates in the U.S. “a moral stain,” particularly in states like Georgia, where Black women face significantly higher risks during childbirth.
The bill forms part of the broader “Momnibus” legislative package—a comprehensive set of proposals spearheaded by Adams and other lawmakers to address maternal health from multiple angles, including healthcare access, workforce diversity, and social determinants of health.
Charles Johnson, husband of Kira Johnson and founder of the advocacy organization 4Kira4Moms, said the reintroduction of the bill reflects growing momentum for reform.
“What began as a personal tragedy has become a powerful movement to protect mothers, babies, and families across this country,” he said.
The legislation has garnered support from dozens of co-sponsors in Congress, reflecting bipartisan concern over maternal health outcomes, though its path to passage remains uncertain in a divided political environment.
Public health experts have long pointed to structural inequities—including access to care, implicit bias, and systemic racism—as key drivers of disparities in maternal outcomes. Advocates argue that legislative efforts like the Kira Johnson Act are essential to closing those gaps.
As lawmakers revisit the bill, Adams emphasized that the issue transcends politics.
“We need to close the Black maternal health gap,” she said. “This is about saving lives.”
