State Representative Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), chairman of the Health & Human Services Committee, filed House Bill 1114 today to fight maternal mortality in Georgia. HB 1114 seeks to extend the duration of postpartum Medicaid coverage for new mothers from two months to six months. Chairman Cooper made the announcement at a press conference at the State Capitol today with Speaker of the House David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge).

“It is unacceptable that the best state in the nation for business has one of the worst rates of maternal mortality, and we are acting today to address this serious problem,” said Speaker David Ralston. “Our House of Representatives is committed to fostering a culture of life and protecting life throughout Georgia. I thank Chairman Cooper for her unwavering dedication to fighting maternal mortality and her advocacy on behalf of mothers and their children.”

Chairman Cooper’s HB 1114 would authorize the Department of Community Health to seek a Section 1115 Medicaid waiver with the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to allow Georgia to extend the duration of postpartum Medicaid coverage for new mothers. Included in this legislation is a provision for lactation care and services for expectant and new mothers, as well as children who are nursing. Additional funding for these initiatives would be included in the House’s forthcoming Fiscal Year 2021 state budget.

“As a health care practitioner and educator, I am proud to sponsor HB 1114, which would seek to provide much needed health care for new mothers,” said Chairman Cooper. “I care deeply about the wellbeing of mothers and their precious babies, and I remain dedicated to ending Georgia’s maternal mortality crisis.”

House Bill 1114 is co-sponsored by Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones (R-Milton), House Appropriations Committee Chairman Terry England (R-Auburn), House Majority Leader Jon Burns (R-Newington), Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Resources Chairman Katie Dempsey (R-Rome) and Appropriations Subcommittee on Health Chairman Butch Parrish (R-Swainsboro), among others.

Chairman Cooper co-chaired the House Study Committee on Maternal Mortality last year along with State Representative Mark Newton (R-Augusta). The study committee’s recommendations included extending the duration of postpartum Medicaid coverage.