ATLANTA – State Representative Sheila Jones (D-Atlanta) was recently presented with the 2016 Charlotte Wilen Maternal & Infant Health Advocate of the Year Award by the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition (HMHB) of Georgia. HMHB recognized Rep. Jones for her work on and support of the Georgia Lactation Consultant Practice Act, or House Bill 649 from the 2015 legislative session.
“I am honored that HMHB of Georgia chose to recognize my legislative efforts in ensuring the health of both mothers and their babies,” said Rep. Jones. “The Georgia Lactation Consultation Practice Act will allow nursing mothers across our state to receive the medical help they need to best care for their babies, and I was proud to see this legislation’s passage.”
The Georgia Lactation Consultation Practice Act provides for the licensure and regulation of those engaged in lactation care and services in order to promote the health of mothers and babies.
“Lactation consultants are allied healthcare professionals who know how to clinically assess and help resolve breastfeeding issues,” said Merrilee Gober, Chair of the HMHB Public Affairs Committee and member of the Board of Directors. “This law will greatly improve access to lactation consultants by making them part of the healthcare team and opening the door for insurance companies to reimburse for their services. With insurance reimbursement, physicians will be able to have lactation consultants as part of their office staff, and hospitals will be able to run outpatient breastfeeding clinics with lactation consultants.”
Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia, a member of National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, serves as a statewide voice for maternal and infant healthcare needs.
For more information on the Georgia Lactation Consultant Practice Act, please click here.
For more information on HMBC, please click here.
Editor’s Note: A photo of Rep. Jones with Elise Blasingame and Merrilee Gober is attached to this press release for your convenience.
Representative Sheila Jones represents the citizens of District 53, which includes portions of Cobb and Fulton counties. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2004, and currently serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education, Health & Human Services, Juvenile Justice, and Transportation committees.
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