ATLANTA (January 29, 2018) | Today, Senator Dean Burke (R – Bainbridge) along with Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, Senator Renee Unterman (R – Buford) and members of Georgia’s Health Care Reform Task Force held a press conference to introduce the HEALTH Act, Senate Bill 357.
“This legislation is intended to improve health care availability and access for all Georgians, which is a true passion of mine,” said. Sen Burke. “A piece of advice I try to follow is that if you want a different outcome, then you have to do things differently and SB 357 is designed to do exactly that. This legislation will establish a central point where great ideas can be vetted and any policies regarding health care can be reviewed by experts. Georgia’s newly established council and innovation center will help ensure there is accountability and the billions of taxpayer dollars that go to improving and providing health care services are not wasted.”
“Georgians deserve a system that isn’t riddled with bureaucracy. Our focus will meet the needs of every patient with better access, lower costs, and higher quality care,” said Lt. Governor Cagle. “This legislation will eliminate barriers to quality, affordable care and develop the much-needed innovations that will modernize and improve our state’s overall health care system.”
Under the HEALTH Act, the Health Coordination and Innovation Council of the State of Georgia and the Health System Innovation Center will be established. This legislation streamlines the functions of Georgia’s health care system and breaks down silos between state agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector.
“SB 357 provides an opportunity for Georgia’s best minds in health care, academia, and the private sector to partner with government leaders to face the challenges ahead,” said Tony Marshall, President and CEO of Georgia Health Care Association. “GHCA is confident that SB 357 will allow these talents to develop solutions that will benefit our state’s aging populations and providers.”
“It is extremely important that continued emphasis be placed on the health needs of this state’s citizens through collaborative efforts,” added Tammy Mims, CEO of Jeff Davis Hospital. “I feel that Senate Bill 357 can truly aid in integrating consistency of care and best practices through the patient care continuum.”
For the full text of SB 357 please follow the link below:
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/20172018/171613.pdf
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For Immediate Release:
January 29, 2018
Ines Owens, Director
ines.owens@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028