SB 70 Our health care community asked us to help insure that our hospitals can continue to provide health care to their communities by extending the Hospital Provider Fee. This fee generates $311 million in funds that is used to draw down $600 million in federal matching dollars. Together, these funds are returned to hospitals according to the level of Medicaid care they provide to help level the financial playing field among hospitals as Medicaid reimbursement rates are less than the cost of care. I am always happy when I can do anything to help our local hospitals!

Chief Magistrate Court Judge Phinia Aten at the Capitol for Magistrate Judge Day

Another helpful bill for Georgia citizens is HB 154 because access to dental care is a rural issue. This bill authorizes licensed dental hygienists to perform certain application of sealants, oral prophylaxis, fluoride treatment, oral hygiene education, processing of radiographs, and any protocols regarding urgent dental issues that arise under the general supervision of the authorizing licensed dentist. Licensed dental hygienists shall perform their duties only if a licensed dentist is in the dental office.

Dental screenings in schools, volunteer community health settings, senior centers, family violence shelters hospitals, clinics, state, county, local and federal public health programs will not require direct supervision.

In support of our firefighters I supported HB 146 which requires legally organized fire departments to maintain insurance coverage for all firefighters in the department to pay claims for cancer diagnosed after a firefighter has served the department for 12 consecutive months.

Rockdale County School nutritionist at the Capitol speaking to their Legislators. Thanks Peggy for advocating for healthy meals in our schools.

HB 176 is definitely a bill that supports farmers. Basically, it allows our own Georgia Department of Agriculture to inspect and enforce federal standards. I support our department of Agriculture and am more comfortable with them enforcing standards rather than the federal government.

For those of you involved in the real estate business HB 39 allows for a 10-day grace period for real estate appraisers, brokers, and salespersons to notify their respective board or commission, in writing, when such person is convicted of a crime. The respective board then has the authority to revoke the license after 60 days from the date of conviction if no notice has been provided.

HB 88 amends general provisions regarding superior court judges by adding that a judge must also remain in such good standing with the State Bar of Georgia while serving as a judge. When a judge is disbarred or suspended from the practice of law by the Supreme Court, voluntary or involuntary, the office shall be vacated immediately, regardless of bar status at the time of election.

We will reconvene on Tuesday, February 14 for the 17th legislative day.

 

Falcons defensive player #97 Grady Jarrett being honored at Rockdale County High School