The General Assembly finds and declares that:

(1) Georgia ranks as the forty-ninth worst in the nation for the number of maternal deaths occurring during and one year after pregnancy;

(2) Georgia ranks as the thirty-second worst in the nation for the number of infant deaths occurring before the first birthday;

(3) Georgia ranks as the forty-fifth worst in the nation for the percentage of premature births, a leading cause of infant deaths;

(4) Low birth weight or premature infants are more likely to survive if the birth takes place in a facility which is prepared to handle the risks associated with such deliveries;

(5) Several states have established programs to inspect and designate facilities that have developed the capacity to provide expanded levels of neonatal and maternal care; and

(6) Therefore, it is in the best interest of the residents of this state to establish a program that encourages the improvement of quality of care to create better maternal and neonatal outcomes.