LAVONIA, Ga. —

A hospital in rural northeast Georgia will soon close its labor and delivery unit, leaving pregnant women in the area scrambling to find new health care providers and raising concerns about access to prenatal care.

Next month, St. Mary's Healthcare System will shut down its Clear Creek OB-GYN in Lavonia, Georgia, impacting hundreds of pregnant women in Stephens, Franklin, Hart, and Elbert counties. According to a nurse who works there, the area serves many who struggle to make ends meet and rely on Medicaid. The most common barrier pregnant women face in getting the prenatal care they need is transportation. The nurse, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed concern that women will have to choose between getting prenatal care and keeping their jobs. Latest Forecast

°

See Full Page