Washington Update: 

Democrats in Washington are racing to complete the major elements of the Biden Administration’s “Build Back Better” domestic agenda before the first session ends and the 2022 mid-term elections shift the focus from legislating to campaign messaging. Colliding political priorities, natural disasters, and world events are resulting in a difficult fall on Capitol Hill.

There are 20 days until the federal government runs out of money. In addition, the nation’s debt ceiling must be increased. The White House and Democratic congressional leaders have been insistent on attaching a debt ceiling increase to the must-pass government funding bill. Republicans, especially Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, have vowed to oppose this approach. 

Another fast approaching deadline is for House passage of the $1 trillion bipartisan Senate “hard”  infrastructure bill. Speaker Nancy Pelosi is currently navigating choppy waters in the Democratic Caucus. Progressives say they will not vote for the bipartisan “hard”  infrastructure bill without the massive $3.5 trillion “soft” infrastructure bill included in a reconciliation package being completed. Moderates will not vote for the reconciliation package without first voting on the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Emory continues to navigate the process and advocate for a number of provisions including several Medicare benefit expansions, drug pricing initiatives, grants for hospital modernization, investments in pandemic preparedness, and increased Pell grant funding.

Stepping Up Investments in Science

Emory University has joined with Research America in endorsing their Action Plan, which is focused on increasing the United States’ investment in science to remain competitive globally. Emory’s OGCA remains focused on increasing the federal government’s funding investment in the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other science agencies.

DeKalb Chamber Power Lunch 

On September 9, OGCA participated in the DeKalb Chamber’s Power Lunch with DeKalb Commissioners Robert Patrick and Ted Terry; they shared their fresh perspective on the County.

Clarkston Community Health Fair

On August 21, OGCA and Emory Healthcare partnered with 28 community-based organizations during the Clarkston Community Health Fair.

On September 10, Emory Healthcare Veterans Program will participate in a roundtable with Congresswoman Lucy McBath (D-GA). This roundtable will focus on PTSD & Suicide Prevention; individuals from the PTSD Foundation of America, the Suicide Prevention Task Force, and the Suicide Prevention Team at the Atlanta VA Medical Center will join. 

On September 11, Emory will participate in the 8th Annual Clarkston Tell Me a Story Festival at Georgia Piedmont Technical College Conference Center. Emory nurses will provide physical screenings for children who attend and are enrolled in Head Start; and Volunteer Emory will be onsite to assist with the Book Give Away Table. Free COVID vaccines also will be provided by the Clarkston Community Health Clinic.

On September 30, OGCA and Emory Healthcare will participate in the 1st Annual South DeKalb Health Summit with our community partners at the House of Hope Church in Atlanta. This virtual summit will include presentations from local experts on DeKalb County’s health status and the collaborative efforts underway to address COVID-19. This effort was initiated by Emory Hillandale Hospital’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative and seeks to identify and address health disparities in South DeKalb.