Georgia CommonsSR 191: Black Maternal Health Statistics; recognize
Last action February 18, 2025 · Senate Read and Referred
A Georgia Senate resolution recognizes statistics on Black maternal and infant health outcomes and calls for healthcare improvements to reduce disparities, without creating new laws or funding.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It is a formal statement from the Senate acknowledging a set of statistics about maternal and infant health, particularly as they affect Black women and babies in Georgia and the United States. The whereas clauses cite figures on pregnancy related deaths, infant mortality, rural hospital closures, maternity care deserts, chronic health conditions, and the benefits of doula care during pregnancy. The resolution's operative language simply has the Senate recognize these statistics and acknowledge the need for healthcare improvements to achieve health equity. It also directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies of the resolution available to the public and the press. It does not appropriate money, create a program, or amend the Official Code of Georgia.
What the bill does
- Has the Senate formally recognize statistics on Black maternal and infant health outcomes in Georgia and nationally.
- Acknowledges a stated need for healthcare improvements to achieve health equity, without creating any specific program or funding.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies of the resolution available for public and press distribution.
- Does not amend any Georgia statute, create penalties, or allocate state funding.
Who it affects
The resolution most directly concerns Black pregnant and postpartum people and their infants in Georgia, along with the state Department of Public Health, rural hospitals and OB/GYN providers, and Medicaid policy discussions around doula care, though it imposes no direct obligations on any of them.
Why it matters
Because this is a resolution rather than a bill amending law, it does not change any rights, funding, or requirements. Its practical effect is to put the Senate's acknowledgment of maternal health disparities on the record, which can shape future legislative debate over healthcare policy.
Key provisions
- The whereas clauses cite CDC and OECD data on U.S. and Georgia maternal and infant mortality rates, including that Black women in Georgia are almost three times more likely 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.
- The resolved clause has the Senate recognize these statistics and acknowledge the need for healthcare improvements to achieve health equity.
- The final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
From the bill
“Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy related causes than non-Hispanic white women”
“in Georgia, Black women are almost three times more likely to die from pregnancy related causes than non-Hispanic white women”
“the members of this body recognize Black maternal health statistics and acknowledge the need for healthcare improvements to achieve health equity”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
- 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)
Topics
- maternal health
- Black maternal mortality
- healthcare disparities
- rural hospitals
- public health