# Unveiling the Challenges and Solutions: A Scoping Review of Maternal Healthcare Access in Rural Georgia

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how laws in Georgia aim to improve maternal healthcare access in rural areas, but challenges like provider shortages and financial barriers remain.

## Contribution

The paper provides a scoping review of legislative efforts and proposes targeted solutions to improve maternal healthcare access in rural Georgia.

## Key findings

- Legislation like H.B. 1114 and S.B. 106 has improved postpartum Medicaid coverage and telehealth access.
- Rural areas still face provider shortages, financial barriers, and limited postpartum health awareness.
- Expanding Medicaid coverage and training programs could reduce disparities in maternal health outcomes.

## Abstract

This literature review explores the influence of legislative policies on maternal healthcare accessibility in rural Georgia, where systemic barriers have created significant challenges for maternal health outcomes. Key legislation includes House Bill (H.B.) 1114 (2020), which expanded Medicaid postpartum coverage from 60 days to six months. S.B. 106, the "Healthy Babies Act," prioritizes telehealth and remote maternal health services, while H.B. 1037 (2023) proposes establishing the Georgia Commission on Maternal and Infant Health. Despite these advances, rural areas continue to face shortages of obstetric providers and facilities, financial barriers to care, and limited awareness of postpartum health risks. Recommendations include enhancing incentives for providers to accept Medicaid through faster reimbursement and expanding obstetric training programs to alleviate provider shortages. Extending Medicaid coverage to include chronic illnesses, mental health, and oral health up to one year postpartum is essential for comprehensive care. Additionally, fostering strong patient-provider relationships is necessary to strengthen postpartum health awareness and ensure open communication about potential health complications. These recommendations provide a framework for reducing disparities and improving maternal health outcomes in rural Georgia while offering insights into addressing broader rural healthcare challenges.