Health officials in Georgia have announced a new program that will offer family planning services to women who previously didn't qualify for Medicaid. The Georgia Department of Community Health says the Planning for Healthy Babies, or P4HB, program is set to begin in January.

The program was designed to improve Georgia's very low birth weight and low birth weight rates. It aims to increase child spacing intervals through effective contraceptive use and to provide access to prenatal planning, health education and vitamins. The program covers family planning services for women ages 18 through 44 who meet monthly family income limits. The women must also be: U.S. citizens, Georgia residents, not pregnant and able to have a baby.

Tags: Medicaid, Georgia Department of Community Health, Planning 4 Healthy Babies, low birth weight, prenatal planning, health education