State Representative Imani Barnes has introduced a new bill, House Bill 149, known as the Healthy Mothers Now Act. The proposed legislation aims to establish a three-year pilot program under the Georgia Department of Public Health. This initiative seeks to provide postpartum care through mobile health clinics in counties identified as having limited maternity services or being maternity care deserts.
Rep. Barnes emphasized the importance of this bill, stating, “Every mother deserves access to the care and support she needs, no matter where she lives.” She further noted that Georgia ranks among the top 10 states in maternal mortality, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue.
The pilot program outlined in HB 149 will target counties with fewer than two hospitals or birth centers providing maternity care or less than 60 obstetric providers per 10,000 births. Additionally, it focuses on areas without any hospital or birth center offering obstetric care and lacking obstetric providers altogether.
As part of its mandate, the Department of Public Health is required to submit a comprehensive report by June 30, 2026. This report will evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the pilot program and offer recommendations for its potential expansion statewide. It will also suggest any necessary changes to state law or policy based on these findings.
Rep. Barnes expressed her commitment to advancing this bill through legislative channels: “By bringing care to mothers who may not have the means or resources, we increase access not only to maternal care but also to other crucial healthcare services.”
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