Over the past couple years some shocking news made the rounds – Georgia ranks first among the states in terms of maternal mortality rate, a number mirroring that found in many third world countries. Legislators moved quickly to pass legislation that would help correct the issue, passing H.B. 1114 last year, a bill which extends Medicaid coverage for all mothers up to six months postpartum, up from two months.
That bill received widespread bipartisan support and nearly $20 million in the 2021 budget to support the cause.
But more can be done, according to Sen. Lester Jackson (D-Savannah), which is why he is pushing for a bill that would make it easier for midwifes to operate in the state. Midwifery is an ancient tradition, albeit one that has waned in popularity in recent decades. Still though, many children – particularly in black households – are still born at home in Georgia, and that number could increase following COVID-19 and a desire not to spend more time in hospitals than needed.
While some midwives are registered by the state many, called “direct entry” midwives, are not. Direct entry midwives are those who studied as apprentices for years, but do not have official medical licenses. The state does not currently make efforts to police direct entry midwives, who have remarkably high birthing success rates. Many of them operate under certifications from accredited midwifery organizations in other states even though Georgia has none.
SB 170 would work to legalize direct entry midwifery in Georgia, as well as to provide options for health insurance coverage for midwifes practicing at patients’ homes. According to Jackson protecting and supporting maternal health workers means protecting mothers, particularly black and rural ones without easy access to hospitals and where midwifery is still an active tradition.
Critics though, including some doctor groups, say that pre-natal services should only be delivered by doctors or certified nurse-midwives.
The bill currently sits in the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee, and is expected to be referred to a study committee. Similar language is being carried in the House, and is expected to be referred to the Georgia Occupational Regulation Review Council, a Jackson aide tells IAG.
Crossover Day is scheduled for Monday, so even if SB 170 isn’t approved this session it could still be studied and brought back up in 2022, the second half of the two-year session.
