Wrapping Up the 2024 Legislative Session! |
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In the second year of the 2023-2024 biennial legislative session, we highlighted critical consumer protection issues to keep Georgians safe from financial harm, increase access to quality affordable healthcare, and improve economic opportunity. In this session, we:
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Successfully staved off two bills (SB 254 and HB 84) that could have harmed Georgia consumers by authorizing third-party earned wage access (EWA) providers to operate in Georgia without subjecting them to the state’s interest rate caps and other lending protections. We also stopped SB 452 from passing the Senate Finance Committee. This bill could have legitimized the predatory and harmful practices of title pawn entities in the state. Through our advocacy, we made legislators aware of the potential harms of EWAs and Title Pawns, and fortunately, none of these bills advanced.
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Supported the passage of HB 1339 to increase access to affordable, quality healthcare throughout our state through Certificate of Need reform.
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Supported the passage of Senate Bill 505 to increase hospital and health system reporting standards, and require increased community benefit and indigent care spending to justify nonprofit tax-exempt benefits.
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Advocated for Senate Bill 524 to establish a state certification process for Community Health Workers (CHWs), improving access to care and recognizing their contributions. SB 524 passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee unanimously but did not pass the Rules Committee in time for a vote by the full Senate. We will continue our advocacy to uplift the work of CHWs in the next session.
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Advocated for Senate Bill 552 to authorize the use of an Equity Impact Tool (EIT) to assess the impact of proposed legislation on vulnerable communities. Senator Sonya Halpern introduced the bill, but it did not make it out of committee this session. We will work throughout the off-session to build support and awareness of the benefits of these tools.
We look forward to building support around these issues and more in anticipation of the next session. To stay up-to-date about issues we are focusing on, please visit our website and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
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We continue empowering communities statewide through our Civic Advocacy, Leadership and Engagement training. This month, we hosted trainings for over 130 students from the Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing and the Atlanta Region Community Health Workforce Advancement (ARCHWAy) Program, which trains current and aspiring Community Health Workers.
We have partnered with Refugee Women’s Network to schedule trainings in Clarkston, GA, throughout April for Congolese, Somali and Afghan populations. Created in collaboration with our Community Voices for Health - Georgia (CVHG) partners, the training teaches community members to engage in effective grassroots advocacy. Participants are equipped with working knowledge of best practices and resources to mobilize their communities around policy issues.
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Jayla Johnson and Candy Tookes join Georgia Watch |
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Jayla Johnson joined Georgia Watch as the Communications and Engagement Manager this month. In this role, Jayla aims to increase the visibility of Georgia Watch in the community, strengthen organizational branding and grow our engagement on social media platforms. Before joining the team, Jayla worked in the media as a reporter and producer. She also worked in the education contracting industry as a communications account manager. Read more about Jayla here.
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Candy Tookes joined Georgia Watch as the Program Assistant this month. With a passion for serving communities and fostering positive change, Candy will play a vital role in supporting the organization's mission and initiatives. She has a rich background of expertise spanning over 15 years and a heart for service. She assists in managing schedules, facilitating communications, and handling logistics to ensure smooth program operations and effective coordination. Read more about Candy here.
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Updates to Consumer Guide for Medical Bills and Debt |
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We have added two sections to our Guide for Medical Bills and Debt, designed to empower consumers to make informed decisions about their healthcare. The Guide now includes information on the new Georgia All-Payer Claims Database (APCD), a central source of healthcare information to support evidence-based improvements in access, quality and cost of healthcare. Also, we’ve added information on the Consumer Access to Contracted Healthcare (CATCH) Act, which amended the Surprise Billing Consumer Protection Act to ensure consumer access to quality healthcare by setting adequacy standards for network plans offered by an insurer. Since taking effect in January, the law ensures that all consumers with insurance coverage have access to primary and specialty care, mental healthcare, substance use treatment, pharmacies and laboratories based on geographic proximity and provider-to-patient ratios, among other comprehensive network adequacy criteria.
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Georgia Watch seeks confident and passionate professionals to serve as the Health Policy Analyst and Program Manager. Please see our website for job descriptions. Interested candidates should email a resume, cover letter and writing sample to Deputy Director Natasha Taylor at ntaylor@georgiawatch.org. The postings will be open until the positions are filled.
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Georgia Watch
55 Marietta Street NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
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