Earlier this year, Georgia became the third state in the U.S. to extend Medicaid coverage for up to six months for women who had just given birth.
New moms who qualify for Medicaid will be able to receive healthcare for potentially dangerous conditions such as hypertension, stroke, or mental health concerns, which can arise after pregnancy in the first year after birth.
It’s a significant step in a state that has historically ranked among the highest in the country for deaths due to pregnancy complications. As of 2018, Georgia’s maternal death rate was at 27.7 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.