Medical Liability Reform
The State Affairs team has been actively engaging with both the Medical Association of Georgia (MAG) and the Georgia Hospital Association (GHA) as discussions continue around medical liability reform. Recently, the State Affairs team has joined MAG to meet with representatives from Governor Kemp’s office and Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones and his staff.
These meetings allow for an opportunity to detail the positive impact that medical liability reform would have on our patients. Governor Kemp will release a tort reform package at the beginning of January that is slated to address premises liability, seat belt admissibility and other tort reform measures. The State Affairs team will continue to track and support any legislative efforts that could impact the health care sector.
The Senate Study Committee on Artificial Intelligence
On Dec. 3, the Senate Artificial Intelligence (AI) Study Committee convened for its final meeting at the Georgia State Capitol. Chairman John Albers discussed a few of the committee’s recommendations following the prior seven meetings. The committee was able to hear from experts in higher and secondary education, agriculture, film, transportation and health care.
Alistair Erskine, Emory’s chief information and digital officer for Emory Healthcare and vice president of digital health for Emory University, spoke at the health care-focused meeting on Nov. 8. From these meetings, Chairman Albers and committee members flagged data privacy, deepfakes and transparency as primary concerns when using AI, but also agreed that the state should not over-regulate an exciting and developing technology sector. Read the 185-page official report online.
2025 Legislative Session
On Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, the Georgia General Assembly will meet back at the Gold Dome for the legislative session. This will be the first of a two-year cycle, with 23 new legislators entering the building following state elections. The State Affairs team will be at the Capitol for all 40 days of the session, following and lobbying on legislation that may impact Emory University or Emory Healthcare.
Biennium in Athens, Georgia
On Dec. 8-10, the State Affairs team attended the 34th Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators at the UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel in Athens, Georgia. The Biennial Institute provides both an orientation to the legislative process for new legislators as well as policy sessions for all attendees.
GICA Student Letter Update
Every year, the Georgia Independent College Association (GICA) asks students to reach out to their hometown legislators to thank them for providing state-funded scholarships, such as HOPE and Zell. It is a great way for legislators to see the major impact of these funds on students. So far this year, Emory students have sent nearly 400 thank you letters to our Georgia legislators.
Tour of Emory University for the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
On Nov. 13, the State Affairs team hosted representatives from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) to tour Emory University’s impressive Atlanta campus. On the tour, we highlighted Emory’s commitment to sustainability and our facilities that promote student collaboration and learning. Emory and CHOA’s partnership is vital to the health and success of Georgia, and the State Affairs team looks forward to strengthening our relationships with all hospitals and stakeholders throughout Georgia. | 
