MAC Works with Community Partners to Promote Better Health Outcomes

Last month, Midtown Assistance Center co-signed a letter to the Georgia House Appropriations Committee to extend postpartum Medicaid through the first year. The letter was signed by twelve other non-profit organizations and reads, in part:

Data show that Georgia has the worst maternal mortality ratio of any state in the country. Black women in Georgia are 3.3 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women are, and Georgia’s own health experts believe that more than half of confirmed pregnancy-related deaths in the state are preventable. Based on the latest report from Georgia’s state mandated Maternal Mortality Review Committee, 82% of maternal deaths occurred in the postpartum period, up to one year. Yet, women enrolled in Medicaid for pregnancy lose coverage only 60 days after delivery.

This session, the Georgia Legislature is working on the state budget, a task that has been made more difficult by Governor Kemp’s proposed budget cuts. Our aim is to ensure that our low-income neighbors, especially mothers, aren’t losing vital resources, healthcare and safety nets in the process. Extending Medicaid for new mothers will ensure low-income women, like the many who come through our doors, will have access to critical health services.

You can read the entire letter below:

PostPartum Medicaid Extension Letter to House Budget Chair_2020