| | 77th Edition | September
06,
2019 |
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| Federal Update | | Congress returns next week to a heavy legislative workload. FY2020 appropriations need to be completed by October 1, and a Continuing Resolution is looking increasingly likely in order to provide more time for the House and Senate to reconcile their differing spending levels. House and Senate committees continue to work on balance billing legislation. The National Defense Authorization Act must be completed, as well as tax and health extenders. Trade issues, drug pricing, and gun control will also be front and center. The OGCA team is working to advance Emory’s priorities in several legislative vehicles. For upcoming dates of note, click here. |
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| State Update | | Dr. Gregory Esper, Associate Chief Medical Officer for Emory Healthcare, has been appointed by Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan to the Task Force on Healthcare Access and Cost. The Task Force, chaired by Lt. Governor Duncan, will examine ways to tackle the cost and access burdens to healthcare across Georgia. Specifically, the Task Force will evaluate: 1) price transparency and other free market solutions; 2) data and technology utilization; and 3) employer innovation. The Task Force held its first meeting on September 5 and focused on ways to achieve healthcare cost savings through data analysis, telemedicine and artificial intelligence. Cheryl Hiddleson, Director of the Emory eICU Center, has been invited to present at the Task Force’s next meeting in October on Emory’s partnership with the state to expand eICU services across Georgia. |
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| Emory in the Community | Metro Atlanta Chamber
On August 28, Emory Athletics Director Michael Vienna (seated second from left) participated on a panel sponsored by the Metro Atlanta Chamber on the importance of professional and collegiate sports and the economic benefits to Georgia. Mr. Vienna was joined by the athletic directors from UGA, GA Tech, Mercer and Morehouse. Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan, who played baseball at GA Tech, introduced the panel. |
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|  | | DeKalb Community Forum
On August 29, Emory Professor Michael J. Rich participated in a community forum hosted by DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. Professor Rich (pictured 8th from left) was a guest panelist and spoke about the effect of gentrification in DeKalb County. |
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| OGCA Team News | | Effective September 1, Hillary Thrower has been promoted to Director of State Affairs. Hillary joined Emory at the beginning of 2017, just before the state legislative session began. She hit the ground running and since that time has proven to be a valuable member of the OGCA team, leading legislative tours, organizing district visits around the state and advancing Emory’s legislative priorities. Congratulations Hillary! |
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