My home state, Georgia, has for a long time been a place for me to live and work as a nanny. Despite my love for this location, as a black woman, I have grown to fear the prospect of childbirth. This fear stems from the knowledge that 60% of maternal deaths in this state are incurred by mothers insured by Medicaid.

Subsequently, it has become evident that for mothers on Medicaid, the provision of midwifery services during childbirth and consistent doula care before and after birth for a year could significantly alleviate this danger. As it currently stands, these services are reimbursable through a pilot program, but for many the intial cost is too much to wait for reimbursement. Doulas are often out of pocket life-saving assets, particularly so for mothers at a higher risk of experiencing maternal morbidity and mortality. 

Expanding Medicaid to cover midwifery and doula services sets the basis for the reduction of adverse maternal health outcomes in Georgia. It is long overdue that the health of mothers, unborn children, and the newly birthed is prioritized over the complex logistics of reimbursement programs. We are working towards change for the shared well-being of the mothers and children in Georgia.

Join us on this mission. Sign this petition. Every signature pushes us closer to making this long-overdue change a reality in Georgia.