1. United States
2. Ga.
3. Letter

Georgia must address the alarming maternal mortality crisis and lack of access to maternity care providers, especially in rural areas known as "obstetric deserts." Establishing clear licensure requirements and guidelines for midwifery practice is a vital step to expanding the maternal healthcare workforce. Midwives can provide high-quality, cost-effective care for low-risk pregnancies and births, reducing strain on overburdened obstetricians. Many other states have successfully integrated midwives into their maternity care systems through robust regulations. This common-sense measure would improve care access while upholding safety standards. With obstetric deserts leaving too many families without proximate options, Georgia cannot afford to delay on authorizing midwifery as a key part of the solution to this pressing public health issue. I urge you to prioritize legislation creating a licensure pathway for midwives to legally practice in Georgia.