SW Georgia News

State Representatives Mack Jackson and Gerald Greene co-chaired a pivotal session for the House Rural Development Council at the University of Georgia, addressing pressing rural concerns including healthcare access, housing, and employment. The council's objective was to devise legislative solutions for Georgia's rural communities in the upcoming 2024 legislative session.

First on their agenda were the healthcare issues faced by rural communities. According to a press release by the Georgia General Assembly, at the House Rural Development Council's gathering, members heard from experts and leaders, centering discussions on enhancing rural healthcare access, notably emphasizing children's healthcare and mental health services in Georgia's rural areas.

The council also examined the critical role community and school-based health centers play in these regions. According to a press release by the Georgia General Assembly, community and school-based health centers detailed their crucial role in Georgia's rural regions, highlighting the operation of 35 nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) backed by the Georgia Primary Care Association and state funding that aim to meet diverse healthcare needs. Georgia Mountains Health Medical Group, Athens Neighborhood Health Center, and Georgia Highlands Health Center presented their successful models of school-based health care, emphasizing comprehensive medical, dental, and behavioral services for students without interrupting their school routines.

Addressing insurance-related matters was another crucial aspect discussed during this session. According to a press release by the Georgia General Assembly, the Georgia Association of Health Plans informed the council about the effects of Senate Bill 106, showcasing a statewide 12 percent premium reduction under the Patients First Act, particularly benefiting rural areas with expanded insurance options across 98 percent of Georgia's counties. Representatives from the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center at Mercer University highlighted their mission to bolster rural healthcare infrastructure, emphasizing the necessity for pediatric mental health services and their provision of mental health training to over 1,600 rural Georgians post-pandemic.

Turning their focus towards job creation and economic support, the council heard from representatives from Georgia's film industry. According to a press release by the Georgia General Assembly, additionally, Georgia Matters provided updates on alliances within South Georgia's film organizations, aiming to boost job creation and support the state's film industry in rural regions.

The council is looking forward to addressing these matters through legislative action in the upcoming session. According to a press release by the Georgia General Assembly, the Council plans to address these issues and others through legislative avenues during the 2024 session of the Georgia General Assembly. The House Rural Development Council was initially formed in 2017 to stimulate economic growth and job creation in rural communities.