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FROM THE STATE CAPITOL
After receiving that encouraging news, Governor Perdue, along with leaders from both the State House and State Senate, announced a plan that will keep the program afloat until those federal dollars become available. Under the plan, Medicaid funds will be temporarily used to meet the costs of the PeachCare program. I am very pleased that our partners on the federal level, and my colleagues on the state level, have worked together to preserve this program that helps keeps Georgia kids healthy. The Special Committee on Certificate of Need continued its work this week. We are in the process of working our way through a number of proposed bills that offer needed reforms to this process. My focus is on providing Georgians with a multitude of quality care options while, at the same time, ensuring that access to healthcare is not compromised. The work of this Committee is being carefully watched by doctors, hospitals, and all healthcare providers, with doctors seeking more leeway in opening and expanding independent facilities, and hospitals looking to preserve critical revenue streams so that they can keep their doors open. I received word this week that the Greene County Board of Commissioners has been approved for a $1.52 million loan from the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority. These funds will be used to fund improvements and additions to the county's water and sewer system. This is an excellent example of how state and local governments can work together to make needed infrastructure improvements in our communities. I have received a number of positive emails and comments regarding Senate Bill 86 which would require seatbelt usage in pickup trucks. This bill passed the Senate by a large margin, and is now awaiting consideration by a House committee. During the summer, I served on the Joint House and Senate Trauma Study Committee. The Committee members were presented with startling evidence on this issue - over 100 lives could have been saved in 2005 alone if Georgia pickup truck drivers buckled up at the same rate as passenger car drivers.
The Session resumes this week with the House meeting Monday and Tuesday to consider the large number of bills passed by Committees during the recess. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. During the Session, I can always be reached at 404-656-7855; mickey.channell @house.ga.gov.
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