SR924: SR924 Black Maternal Health Statistics; recognize

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. Instead, it lays out a series of statistics and findings about maternal and infant mortality in the United States and Georgia, with particular attention to outcomes for Black women and infants. It cites national data on pregnancy-related deaths, Georgia's high maternal mortality rate, rural hospital labor and delivery closures, maternity care deserts, and chronic health conditions that contribute to poor outcomes. The resolution concludes with the Senate formally recognizing these statistics and acknowledging the need for healthcare improvements to achieve health equity. It also directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press. Because it is a resolution rather than a bill amending the Georgia Code, it creates no new programs, funding, or legal requirements.

• Formally states the Senate's recognition of statistics on Black maternal and infant health disparities in Georgia and the United States.
• Acknowledges a need for healthcare improvements to achieve health equity for Black birthing people and infants, without mandating specific action.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
• Creates no new laws, funding, agencies, or enforcement mechanisms, since it is a resolution rather than a bill amending Georgia statutes.

The resolution primarily concerns pregnant and postpartum people in Georgia, especially Black women and infants, along with the state Department of Public Health, rural hospitals and OB/GYN providers, and Medicaid recipients who might access doula care.

While the resolution does not change any law or fund any program, it puts the Georgia Senate on record acknowledging racial disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes, rural healthcare access gaps, and the need for healthcare improvements, which can shape future legislative priorities.

• The preamble cites CDC data that about 80 percent of pregnancy-related deaths nationally, and four in five in Georgia, are considered preventable.
• States 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 considered maternity care deserts, compared to 32.6 percent nationally.
• Cites research that Medicaid coverage for doula care is linked to better maternal and infant outcomes, including lower rates of low birthweight and birth complications.
• The resolving clause has the Senate recognize Black maternal health statistics and acknowledge the need for healthcare improvements to achieve health equity.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available for distribution to the public and press.

1. 2026-03-09Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2026-03-06Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)Primary sponsor
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
• RaShaun Kemp (D, SD-038)
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
• Freddie Sims (D, SD-012)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)

• maternal health
• racial health disparities
• rural healthcare access
• Black maternal mortality
• Medicaid and doula care