The Biden administration is extending the COVID-19 public health emergency past mid-July. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has repeatedly renewed the public health emergency since its implementation in January 2020. The designation allows the US to grant emergency authorizations of drugs, vaccines, and other measures. Extending the emergency declaration also allows much-needed flexibility for health care providers in responding to potential needs in the future. 

AAMC Integrating Quality Forum

The Association of American Medical Colleges is looking to identify individuals that contribute to health equity, value-based care, population health, community health, case management, discharge planning, social work, and patient engagement for a one-day virtual professional development opportunity taking place on June 3, 2022. This virtual experience will bring together a national cross-section of clinical care leaders and team members to exchange knowledge and experiences related to addressing patients’ social needs through screenings. This is an interactive opportunity to brush up on best practices, collaborate with a diverse network of peers, and engage in meaningful discussions that will spark inspiration and new solutions. You may register for this opportunity here. 

White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health

President Biden announced that, for the first time in over 50 years, the White House will host a Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health this September. The Conference, and the preparatory work leading up to it, seeks to accelerate progress toward ending hunger, improving nutrition and physical activity, reducing diet-related disease, and closing disparity gaps. The administration has set a goal of ending hunger and increasing healthy eating and physical activity in the U.S. by 2030; the Conference proposes to launch a national plan outlining steps to achieving this goal. If your work is related to these efforts and you are interested in this conference, please reach out to Emory’s Assistant Director of Federal Affairs, Ryan Pelfrey, at ryan.pelfrey@emory.edu. 

The deadline for Governor Brian Kemp to sign or veto legislation passed during the 2022 Legislative Session was this past weekend. The session began on January 10 and adjourned, Sine Die, on April 4. The following report details the budget impact to Emory, relevant legislation that passed and issues that were discussed during the 2022 session. If you have any questions on the bills listed in the report or other measures introduced during the legislative session, please contact Ines Owens at ines.owens@emory.edu.

Please click here to access the 2022 Legislative Report.

Please click here for all legislation signed by the Governor into law.

Please click here for the Governor’s veto statements.

2022 Interim - Study Committees

During the 2022 session, the Senate and House adopted several Legislative Study Committees. The committee members will be appointed soon and meetings will begin at the Capitol and throughout the state. The State Affairs team monitors all appointments, topics and meeting notices for these. We will provide an update on any study committees you should be aware of. You can access the full list of House Study Committees here and the Senate Study Committees here. If you are interested in providing testimony or attending specific Study Committee hearings, please reach out to Emory’s Assistant VP of State Affairs, Ines Owens, at Ines.Owens@emory.edu.

On May 10, Emory hosted a candidates forum for the DeKalb Commission District 2 seat Jeff Rader has represented for the past 16 years. Marshall Orson, Michelle Long Spears and Lauren Alexander addressed questions from moderator Sally Sears in the Oxford Road building.