Mark your Calendars!

The OGCA team has scheduled three legislative policy updates (June 9, Aug. 25, and Oct. 10) for members of the Emory community.

Additionally, for those interested in learning more about engaging with policymakers, we are offering a learning session on Aug. 27.

Please reach out to Penny Moceri @penelope.j.moceri@emory.edu with any questions.

Federal Affairs

FY25 Reconciliation
This week, the U.S. House of Representatives advanced its reconciliation package. Emory sent a letter to the Georgia congressional delegation outlining our concerns. The bill now moves across Capitol Hill to the U.S. Senate for consideration. We will continue to advocate for Emory and its mission.

Emory on the Hill
On May 15, Dr. Christina Gavegnano was on Capitol Hill meeting with both offices of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs. On May 22, Dr. Suresh Ramalingham, Dr. Adam Marcus, and Dr. Kelly Goldsmith were on Capitol Hill meeting with policymakers and their staff about the importance of cancer research and funding.

State Affairs

Governor Kemp Signs FY2026 Budget
On May 9, Governor Brian Kemp signed the Fiscal Year 2026 state budget, which includes two important new line items for Emory. The budget allocates:

$3 million to augment and stabilize mental and behavioral health services in the Emergency Department at Emory University Hospital Midtown; and
$1 million for the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program to advance research and enhance wraparound services for Georgia veterans living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

We are grateful to Governor Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, Speaker Jon Burns, House Appropriations Chairman Matt Hatchett, Senate Appropriations Chairman Blake Tillery, and the entire Georgia General Assembly for their leadership and support.

Additional budget highlights:

$7.4 million in new funding for Graduate Medical Education (GME)
$19.4 million increase in reimbursement rates for Medicaid providers
$4.5+ million to improve maternal health outcomes
Increased funding for the HOPE Private Scholarship Award

These investments represent meaningful progress in strengthening Georgia’s healthcare workforce, expanding access to care and higher education, and supporting those who serve.

House Study Committees Announced
Speaker of the House Jon Burns has officially appointed the 2025 House Study Committees, which will meet through the end of the calendar year to examine key policy issues and offer legislative recommendations to the Georgia General Assembly.

We are proud to share that Dr. Suresh Ramalingam, executive director of Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, has been appointed to the House Study Committee on Access to Cancer Care, chaired by Representative Lee Hawkins. This committee will explore strategies to improve cancer care access across Georgia.

The State Affairs team will also closely monitor the following study committees:

House Study Committee on Improving Access to Internal Medicine in Underserved Areas
House Study Committee on Abandoned Child Placement Following Hospital Discharge
Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Insurance Rates
House Study Committee on Evaluating Funding for Public Health
House Study Committee on the Costs and Effects of Smoking

We look forward to supporting these committees and providing helpful resources as they carry out their important work. We are still awaiting the appointment of the Senate Study Committees by Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones.

Community Affairs

Georgia Public Service Commission Election
Emory will once again serve as a DeKalb County polling site at the 1599 Administrative Building (1599 Clifton Road).

Key Dates:

Early Voting: May 27 – June 13
Primary Election Day: June 17

Voting hours are available on the DeKalb County Elections website. The Emory Votes Initiative (EVI) is coordinating volunteers—use this link or see the flyer below to sign up and support campus civic engagement.

State of DeKalb Animals Address
On May 16, DeKalb District 2 Commissioner Michelle Long Spears hosted her second annual State of DeKalb Animals event at the Emory Conference Center Hotel. The well–attended event featured several speakers highlighting the urgent needs facing over-crowded shelters, encouraging adoption, fostering and volunteering and supporting various legislation and regulations to address the well-being of animals.

Pictured above in the group shot are DeKalb Commissioner Robert Patrick, DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran Johnson, Betty Willis, David Payne, and Alex Wan of Emory University, followed by DeKalb Commissioner Michelle Long Spears providing opening remarks to the attendees.

1599 Clifton Road, NE, Suite 5.201, Atlanta, GA 30322 | 404-727-4088 | kendra.price@emory.edu