On June 27, US Senator Jon Ossoff visited the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program to tour the clinic and speak with a program graduate and their family. “Emory is providing the best for those who deserve the best,” said Senator Ossoff about the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program and it's free and evidence-based treatment for post-9/11 veterans and service members struggling with invisible wounds such as PTSD. We were honored to host Senator Ossoff to help raise awareness about healing invisible wounds. We look forward to continuing to work with him on behalf of our post-9/11 veterans and service members.

On July 1, Dr. Keerthi Gogineny participated in an event with US Senator Raphael Warnock, in collaboration with the US Senate Special Committee on Aging, to discuss the importance of lowering drug costs and the personal toll that prescription costs can take on patients’ health outcomes. Dr. Gogineny is an Associate Professor in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine. We appreciate the opportunity to participate in Senator Warnock’s event and hope to continue working with him on the issue of prescription drug costs.

Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, has begun her first international trip since assuming her role as ambassador in April. The 11 day trip, which will include stops in Israel and the United Arab Emirates, began in Saudi Arabia. Special Envoy Lipstadt will meet with senior government officials and civil society partners to discuss important changes underway throughout the Middle East. She will also aim to emphasize the need for interfaith understanding and religious tolerance, as well as to combat distrust and anti-Jewish sentiment.

The House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee released the text of its draft FY 2023 spending bill. The bill provides $242.1 billion, an increase of $28.5 billion (13%) above FY 2022. The spending bill also includes 1,310 Congressionally Directed Spending Requests or earmarks, totaling $1.4 billion. Emory University submitted two earmark requests for FY 2023 and both have been included in the subcommittee’s funding bill. Moving forward, the Senate Appropriations Committee will begin marking up its FY 2023 appropriations bills after their Fourth of July recess. Once the Senate funding package is passed, the differences between the two chambers’ appropriations bills will need to be reconciled by the end of the fiscal year, which is September 30. Highlights from the funding bill and information on Emory’s two earmarks can be found here.

During the 2022 Legislative Session, several Study Committees were created by the House and Senate. The hearings for these committees have officially started at the Georgia State Capitol and around the state. The State Affairs team is attending and tracking these hearings to review any impact on Emory policies. If you are interested in any specific study committee or topic, please reach out to Ines Owens at ines.owens@emory.edu. A full list of Senate Study Committees can be found here and the House list can be found here. To review the schedule and attend any meetings virtually, please click here. 

House Hearing, Committee Workforce Development Subcommittee 

On July 6, the House Higher Education Committee held a subcommittee hearing to consider short, medium and long term solutions for the current workforce shortage. The subcommittee plans to hold three additional meetings to look at needs, solutions and examples of existing programs between higher education systems and industries. The State Affairs team looks forward to working with committee members to highlight existing Emory initiatives and working on future solutions. A recording of the subcommittee can be found here. 

GICA Visit to Emory

On June 28, Jenna Colvin, Executive Director for the Georgia Independent College Association (GICA), visited Emory University. She shared information on the association and how the state’s private colleges are partnering with each other and the state. Emory leaders and experts shared information on Emory’s innovative programs, student resources and statewide initiatives. We look forward to working with GICA on priorities and initiatives that will have a positive impact on Georgia’s private colleges throughout the state.

On June 20, the OGCA team and the Emory Hope Clinic partnered with Our Village United for its inaugural Juneteenth Field Day Festival at Pittsburgh Yards in Atlanta. This event provided the surrounding communities of Pittsburgh Yards, various community stakeholders and invited guests with a safe, fun and family oriented health and wellness event. Festival attendees were able to connect with community organizations, resources, vendors and health oriented businesses in an effort to create a healthy community. 

Election Updates 

On June 21, Betty Willis and David Payne celebrated with Michelle Long Spears on election night as she won the primary run-off.  Michelle will be the next DeKalb District 2 Commissioner, replacing retiring Commissioner Jeff Rader, who has admirably served DeKalb County for the past 16 years. Having no opponent in the general election in November, Michelle will be Emory’s new Commissioner. Congratulations Michelle and thank you Commissioner Rader for your service!

On July 16, the OGCA team will partner with the American Red Cross and Saint Philip AME Church in Atlanta to host a community blood drive. The blood drive will take place from 11am to 4pm in the Fellowship Hall of the church located at 240 Candler Road, SE Atlanta, GA 30317. Appointments are encouraged and walk-ins are welcomed. To secure your appointment, go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: philip

On July 18, we will welcome Sydney Wilkins to the OGCA team. She will serve as Assistant Director, State Affairs, reporting to Ines Owens. Sydney has worked in the Georgia Statehouse and for Georgians for Lawsuit Reform. We are excited for Sydney to join Emory.