SR191: SR191 Black Maternal Health Statistics; recognize

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It is a formal statement from the Senate laying out statistics on maternal and infant mortality in the United States and Georgia, with particular attention to the disparities affecting Black women and infants. The resolution cites data on pregnancy related deaths, preventable deaths, maternal mortality rates for Black women compared to non-Hispanic white women, rural hospital labor and delivery closures, maternity care deserts, chronic health conditions, and the benefits of Medicaid coverage for doula care. It concludes with the Senate formally recognizing these Black maternal health statistics and acknowledging the need for health care improvements to achieve health equity. It also directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

• Formally states the Senate's recognition of statistics on Black maternal and infant health disparities in Georgia and the United States.
• Acknowledges the need for health care improvements to achieve health equity for Black birthing people and babies, without creating any new program or funding.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies of the resolution available to the public and the press.
• Does not amend any Georgia statute, create any agency requirement, or allocate any state funding.

The resolution speaks to the Georgia Department of Public Health's stated goals and to the broader public, particularly Black pregnant and postpartum people, infants, rural Georgians affected by hospital labor and delivery closures, and health care providers such as OB/GYNs and doulas.

Because this is a resolution rather than a bill amending the law, it does not create enforceable rights, funding, or requirements. Its practical effect is to place the Senate's acknowledgment of maternal health disparities on the public record, which can shape future legislative debate.

• The whereas clauses cite CDC data that about 80 percent of pregnancy related deaths nationally are preventable and that four in five are preventable in Georgia.
• States that Black women are three to four times more likely nationally, and almost three times more likely in Georgia, to die from pregnancy related causes than non-Hispanic white women.
• Notes that in 2019, 93 of Georgia's 109 rural counties lacked a hospital labor and delivery unit and 75 lacked an OB/GYN.
• States that 34.6 percent of Georgia counties are maternity care deserts, compared to 32.6 percent nationally.
• Cites evidence that Medicaid-covered doula care is linked to lower rates of low birthweight babies and birth complications.
• The resolving clause has the Senate recognize Black maternal health statistics and acknowledge the need for health equity improvements.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

1. 2025-02-18Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2025-02-13Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)Primary sponsor
• Donzella James (D, SD-028)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
• Gail Davenport (D, SD-017)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)

• maternal health
• Black maternal mortality
• health equity
• rural hospital closures
• Medicaid and doula care