Tlaib Leads Letter Demanding HHS Inspector General and CMS Investigate Black Maternal Health Crisis

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Co-Chair of the Congressional Mamas’ Caucus, with Congresswoman Robin Kelly, Chair of the Bipartisan Maternity Care Caucus, led 31 of their colleagues in demanding the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to investigate recent cases in which two Black mothers in Texas and Indiana were denied immediate medical attention while in active labor. The lawmakers called for a review of whether any Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA) and other related violations occurred, and to conduct a nationwide retroactive review for maternal care incidents. 

“We are writing to you with deep concern and urgency regarding two profoundly troubling incidents that recently gained national attention. These two cases [of Karrie Jones and Mercedes Wells] highlight not only individual failures but systemic problems in maternal health within the United States health care system. These failures often disproportionately affect Black mothers and undermine the trust and safety of our entire healthcare system,” the lawmakers wrote. 

While these were two severe and attention-grabbing cases, they reflect a broader pattern of women in labor being denied adequate and timely medical care. These cases are not isolated failures; they are part of the ongoing warnings of the Black maternal health crisis, heightened by funding cuts for maternal health and equity. 

“No one in labor should ever be turned away from the hospital without care, period,” said Congresswoman Tlaib. “The cases of Karrie Jones and Mercedes Wells are horrifying reminders of the systemic racism and neglect that Black mothers continue to face in our health care system. I am proud to lead the Congressional Mamas’ Caucus in demanding action for them and the countless others who have been forced to suffer in silence.”

“As we know from hearing similar experiences in Michigan, the frightening and unnecessarily risky circumstances of the Texas and Indiana births highlighted by the letter should not be dismissed as isolated cases but rather as a call to action,” said Amy Zaagman, Executive Director, Michigan Council for Maternal and Children Health (MCMCH). “We thank the Congressional members who signed on for shining a light on how we must gather data and work together to enforce and strengthen the quality of care.” 

“The recent incidents where two Black women in the United States were denied timely maternal care underscore a crisis that cannot be ignored,” said Gabrielle Albert, Executive Director, 4Kira4Moms. “Maternal health is a fundamental human right, and every mother—regardless of race or circumstance —deserves respectful, dignified care.”

This letter is also endorsed by Ancient Song, Inc., Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Black Maternal Health Federal Policy Collective, Families USA, Hustle Mommies, Mothering Justice Action Fund, and State Innovation Exchange.

The Congressional Mamas’ Caucus is committed to advocating for mothers and working families, especially mothers of color. We know that the costs of raising a child in our country are among the highest in the world, and that our policies too often leave behind working families. Our members are committed to centering mamas in the policies we develop and champion in Congress.

You can learn more about the Congressional Mamas’ Caucus here.

The letter was also signed by Representatives Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Shontel Brown (OH-11), André Carson (IN-07), Judy Chu (CA-28), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), Summer Lee (PA-12), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Grace Meng (NY-06), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Eleanor Norton (DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Stacey Plaskett (VI-AL), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Janice Schakowsky (IL-09), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Nikema Williams (GA-05)

You can find the full text of the letter here.

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