Keeping Current @ the Capitol - 1/28/2022
Hot Topics: MENTAL HEALTH PRESS CONFERENCE
This past Wednesday, House Speaker David Ralston announced his commitment to addressing the mental health needs of Georgian's through the introduction of House Bill 1013. The bill aims to expand access to care, increase the number of mental health professionals in the state, require insurance companies to cover mental health in the same way that they cover physical health, and a host of other reform recommendations. To watch highlights from the press conference, check out this YouTube clip from 11Alive news, CLICK HERE.
BILLS TO WATCH
HB1013: Mental Health Parity Act: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Titles 15, 20, 31, 33, 37, 45, and 49 of the O.C.G.A., relating to courts, education, health, insurance, mental health, public officers and employees, and social services, respectively, so as to implement the recommendations of the Georgia Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
SB338: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to medical assistance generally, so as to increase postpartum coverage under Medicaid from six months to one year following birth; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
HB864: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public assistance, so as to provide for the submission of a waiver request by the Department of Human Services to permit the recipients of certain public assistance benefits to use such benefits for the purpose of purchasing diapers or menstrual hygiene products if the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service makes such waiver available to states; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
HB825: A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to medical assistance generally, so as to provide for Medicaid coverage for medically necessary donor human milk; to provide for submittal of a state plan amendment or waiver request, if necessary; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Resource Alert: MATERNAL MORTALITY REDUCTION INITIATIVES
The Maternal Mortality Stakeholder Group (MMSG) put together a wonderful resource that highlights the maternal mortality reduction initiatives supported by the legislature since the establishment of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) in 2014. MMSG members include American College of Nurse Midwives Georgia Chapter, Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), Emory University, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia, Georgia OBGyn Society, Georgia Perinatal Quality Collaborative, March of Dimes and Morehouse School of Medicine. This document has helpful information such as the MMRC's recommendations, legislation and appropriations aligned with those recommendations as well as progress of the efforts to date.
CLICK HERE to access.
A Tool for Advocating: PROJECT 236
Project 236 is an advocacy tool that can be used to understand the state of maternal and infant health in your legislative district! Outcomes include rates of preterm birth, low birthweight, infant mortality, and prenatal care inadequacy. In this age of virtual advocacy, we hope that this can be used as a way to advocate for improved maternal and infant health in your own backyard.
How does your district compare to the state of Georgia overall? Is there an area where your Senate district is performing lower? Speak with your Senator about how comprehensive policies can address negative outcomes. Does your House district have outcomes that are better than the state of Georgia? Talk with your Representative about what they can do to make sure it stays that way or even improves. Fact sheets for all 236 of Georgia's legislative districts are available.
CLICK HERE to access Project 236
Save the Date: MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH POLICY BRIEFING
| We invite you to join our 2022 Virtual Maternal and Infant Health Policy Briefing on February 10, 2022. During these unprecedented times, understanding the state of maternal and infant health in our State so that we can improve the health and well-being of our moms and babies is more important than ever. Attendees will explore maternal and infant health data to deepen their understanding and learn about policy priorities that, if adopted, would be pivotal in increasing health outcomes for moms and babies in our State. We will also hear from State policymakers about what they plan to tackle in the year ahead and how these issues may impact Georgia’s families. We hope you’ll join our community of advocates and changemakers! |
| CLICK HERE to register. |