State Coronavirus Task Force
On February 28, Governor Brian Kemp announced a coronavirus task force to assess Georgia’s preparations and procedures for preventing, identifying and if needed, addressing potential cases of coronavirus. Emory University Clinical Virology Research Laboratory Director, Dr. Colleen Kraft is among the 18-member appointed task force. Other task force members include Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Homer Bryson; state Department of Public Health epidemiologist Cherie Drenzek; Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr; and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport General Manager John Selden. Dr. Kraft was one of the physician leaders at Emory University Hospital who successfully treated four patients that contracted Ebola virus disease in West Africa five years ago. Recently, she has been featured on CNN discussing the best defense against coronavirus. Emory applauds Gov. Kemp for creating this task force and working to ensure that Georgia’s preparedness efforts are fully coordinated.
Budget Update
February 28 wrapped up day 21 of the state legislative session. The last two weeks have been busy with appropriations hearings and committee meetings. Last week, the House passed HB 792 by Rep. David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge), the Amended FY20 budget. The House restored some of the funding cuts proposed by Governor Kemp including 100 percent of the proposed cuts to the Georgia Memory Net Program in the amended FY20 budget. HB 792 has crossed to the Senate and will work its way through the committee process. The House Appropriations committee now turns their focus on the FY21 Budget. On February 19, the House Budget Chairman Terry England (R-Auburn) spoke about Emory and Georgia Memory Net from the House Floor. See the video clip here...Start at 2:14:00. The state team will continue to advocate for maintaining Emory’s state funding.
Legislative Updates
Tort Reform
Two bills have been introduced to address the lawsuit reform recommendations that came from the Senate Study Committee on the Cost of Doing Business in Georgia. SB 390 and SB 415, both by Sen. Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega), are comprehensive tort reform bills that aim to balance Georgia's legal climate. Among other things, the bills would modernize the "Georgia Civil Practice Act" to improve and streamline the process for doctors and small businesses involved in lawsuits and create accuracy in damages to prevent inflated “phantom damages.” The bills also address premise liability and seatbelt admissibility. SB 415 received a hearing this week in the Senate Insurance Subcommittee but was not voted on.
Surprise Billing
HB 888 by Rep. Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville) and SB 359 by Sen. Chuck Hufstetler (R-Rome) are companion bills aimed to protect patients from receiving unexpected medical bills. The legislation requires insurers in many cases to pay for care by a doctor or at a hospital that is not within their network of medical providers. It also would limit patient liability for costs and protect patients from financial responsibility beyond what they would normally have to pay in coinsurance, a copay or deductible. Lawmakers have been working on legislation to limit surprise billing for several years without success. This session, House and Senate members working on the issue have come to a consensus and Gov. Brian Kemp has identified this issue as one of his priorities for the session. SB 359 by Sen. Chuck Hufstetler was passed unanimously in the Senate this week and was assigned to the House Special Committee on Access to Quality Healthcare.
Free Speech on Campus
SB 318 by Sen. William Ligon (R-Brunswick) and HB 995 by Rep. Josh Bonner are both bills that prohibit Georgia’s public colleges and universities from having “free speech zones.” Instead, it would affirm that all unrestricted outdoor spaces at schools are open as public forums to the campus community, students, faculty, staff and invited guests. While private colleges and universities are not currently included in the legislation, we will continue to monitor these bills.
Legislative Spouses Visit
On February 27, Emory hosted members of the Legislative Spouse Caucus for a visit to the Emory Brain Health Center (BHC). The group had an opportunity to hear from BHC Executive Administrator Kevin Clark on the groundbreaking work happening at the BHC and the many programs that Emory offers. Several other leaders at the Brain Health Center spoke to the group including Dr. Sheila Rauch, Clinical Director of the Emory Healthcare Veterans Program and Rebecca Dillard, Project Director of Georgia Memory Net. We look forward to continuing to bring people to campus to showcase the work being done at Emory. | 
