Improved Infant Health in Georgia - Essay Example

The year 2013 recorded an increase in the number of registered births in the state of Georgia. The figure rose to 133,947 which depicts a 25% increase when compared to the registered birth records in 2011. This is as a result of various approaches put into practice by the Georgia medical service council. For instance, the percentage Medicaid maternal cover for all pregnant women was raised from 25% to 40% thus reducing the labor expense by 15%. GORRC (2013). As a result, 53,579 births were covered by Medicaid in the year 2013.

This included approximately 50% (Gutowski et. al, 2010. Pg. 5) outpatient and inpatient lactation consultation fees where a cost per encounter was $250 (Breastfeeding Inc). The approximate medical saving per woman was $27.5 thus generating a total cost savings of $3683543 from the improved infant health outcomes. Women without lactation consultation were also entitled to the Medicaid fee.ResultsThe improved infant health led to an increased rate of breast finding as women with no lactation consultation rose to 70% compared to 40% in the previous years (GORRC).

This notion indicated a positive approach in infant health care increased the number of women who breastfeed to those using powdered milk (NRDC, 2010). Women who breastfeed were approximately 45, 221 while those who do not breastfeed their children summed up to 8358. This approach reduced the incidences of Otitis to babies who are not breastfed and women in the stage of breastfeeding. Episodes of Otitis media reduced from 60% in 2011 to 40.42% in 2013 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2011).

Assumption and limitationsDespite the improved infant health care in Georgia, the consultation fee ought to be high for the low-income earners in the state. As a result, the figure of women without a lactation consultation is still high thus maintaining an elevated number of babies with Otitis media (Stuebe, 2009). The middle ear disease is rampant in babies with no lactation consultation. It is assumed that the condition is due to a lack of frequent medical checkups which make the babies vulnerable to allergies that result in the infection of the upper respiratory tract.

ConclusionGeorgia state medical council has played a vital role in enhancing medical services in the region. This is depicted by the approaches designed to improve infant medical health. However, it is necessary to consider all odds including the difference in social status and income generation per family when restructuring medical service.