H.R. 133 includes a number of policy measures and funding authorizations of interest to Emory; a preliminary breakdown can be found here. 

We are proud to report on several appropriations provisions, for which Emory advocated, including funding for mental healthcare services for veterans, injury prevention research, and our National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC). Clarifying language pertaining to primate research is also included. Finally, the legislation contains significant funding increases for both research, like for the Emory-led RADx grant, and student aid, such as Pell grants. 

As the pandemic grew, our partner experts stepped up. Dr. Colleen Kraft hosted multiple calls with congressional staff to answer questions and advise on methods to help contain the virus. Dr. Charlie Hill worked with the House Appropriations Committee on developing guidelines for laboratory developed tests. NETEC worked with Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA) to secure emergency funding in the first emergency supplemental.

Spring brought a flurry of legislative activity as Congress appropriated trillions of dollars in emergency aid. Emory was successful in advocating for mission-critical priorities within these bills, and advised our associations how best to meet our communities’ needs. We worked closely with the HHS to get waivers for telehealth services and codes for specific telehealth visits. As HHS worked to distribute Provider Relief Funds to our nation’s hospitals, our team worked closely with HHS senior leadership to advocate for academic medicine. We held regular check-ins with congressional staff and created a biweekly COVID newsletter to keep them updated on our work. Emory has appreciated the bipartisan support from the Georgia congressional delegation during this challenging year.

Over the summer and fall, a number of high ranking government officials visited Emory and witnessed our groundbreaking work. Second Lady Karen Pence was joined by the Assistant Secretaries of the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs and the U.S. Department of Defense, as well as the Secretary of Defense’s wife, to learn how the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program continued to treat veterans during the pandemic. Ambassador Deborah Birx visited to learn more about our laboratory developed tests. HHS Secretary Alex Azar came to learn about Emory’s role in Operation Warp Speed and tour our Serious Communicable Diseases Unit.  Finally, Operation Warp Speed’s Scientific Director Moncef Slaoui came to learn more about Emory’s ongoing clinical trials.

2021 looks to be a more hopeful year. We are excited about the deployment of vaccines and will continue to share the story of Emory’s contributions. With a new President, new Administration, and new faces in the congressional delegation, we have a lot of education to do and relationships to build. Our team is up for the challenge, and looking forward to advancing Emory’s priorities in DC.

Earlier this year, our team worked with the Governor’s Office to have Dr. Colleen Kraft, Emory University Hospital Associate Chief Medical Officer, appointed to the Governor’s 18-member Coronavirus Taskforce. Our state team also passed out Emory-branded hand sanitizers at the State Capitol prior to the pandemic hitting Georgia. Over the last nine months, we have worked with multiple state agencies on a myriad of issues from regulatory relief on telemedicine to testing and staffing issues. 

Our 2020 work at the state level involved more than COVID-19 response. We also worked to protect Emory’s state-funded programs during an unprecedented state budget cut year. As Georgia agencies and programs faced many cuts during the legislative session, our team was successful in getting 93% of the proposed budget cuts restored to Emory’s programs. We will continue advocating to maintain Emory’s state funds during the 2021 session. Fortunately, state revenues are currently in a better place going into next year and drastic cuts are not expected. 

Although campus visits only occurred prior to COVID-19, our team was able to help coordinate several important visits. In February, Governor Kemp visited the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program to tour the facility and sign a letter joining the Governors' Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families. Emory also hosted the State Legislative Spouse Caucus at the Brain Health Center to hear from Emory leaders on the important work happening around brain health. We look forward to hosting elected officials on campus again post-pandemic.

Looking ahead, the 2021 legislative session will look much different when the Georgia General Assembly convenes on Jan. 11, 2021. This year’s election resulted in many new faces at the state level with 38 new legislators under the Gold Dome. The House and Senate are discussing enhanced safety protocols around in-person Capitol meetings, public visitors, and voting procedures for legislators. We look forward to continuing our work next year to promote Emory’s mission.

Holiday Contributions from the School of Nursing