ATLANTA – A new report from the National Consumer Law Center finds that while some states made progress in the last 12 months toward protecting residents from predatory short-term and longer-term loans, Georgia’s awful 62% APR cap on $500, six-month loans...
More infoGeorgia’s Fall 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades Announced
Atlanta, Georgia — November 10, 2021 – The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit representing hundreds of the nation’s most influential employers and purchasers of health care, announced today the fall 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades. The...
More infoGeorgia Laws Let Debt Collectors Push Families into Poverty as Pandemic Protections Expire
National Consumer Law Center’s 50-State Review: Georgia Receives an F Rating; Consumer Protections from Debt Collectors Need Major Reform ATLANTA – With millions of families struggling to recover from economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, and state...
More infoGeorgia Watch Honors Remaining 2020 Consumer Champions
ATLANTA, GA – July 9, 2021 – In June and July, Georgia Watch presented its remaining 2020 Consumer Champion Awards to Christine Wiggins and Attorney John Salter for their work to protect and empower consumers in Georgia. Georgia Watch presented the...
More infoGeorgia Watch Honors 2020 Consumer Champions
COLUMBUS, GA – May 26, 2021 – Yesterday, Georgia Watch presented its 2020 Consumer Champion Awards to four individuals for their work to protect and empower consumers in Georgia. Georgia Watch recognized Chairman Richard Smith (R-Columbus...
More infoCongress Plans to Introduce Resolution to Rescind “Fake Lender” Rule that Facilitates Predatory Lenders’ Evasions of Georgia Interest Rate Limits
330+ groups representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia called for Congress to support a resolution to overturn a rule that helps triple-digit interest rate loans spread across the country by evading state and voter-approved interest rate...
More infoGeorgia Watch Awarded Funding to Work with Southwest Georgia Hospitals on Better Billing and Collections Practices
Atlanta, GA (March 10, 2021) – Georgia Watch announced today that it has been awarded a $190,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to work with community groups and local healthcare providers to address local needs around medical billing and...
More infoGeorgia Watch’s Berneta Haynes Honored as Families USA’s Health Care Value Advocate of the Year
Atlanta, GA (January 25, 2021) | Berneta Haynes, Senior Director of Policy and Access at Georgia Watch, has been recognized as Families USA’s Health Care Value Advocate of the Year. Haynes earned the award because of her exemplary work championing...
More infoCFPB Eliminates Consumer Protections from Payday and Car Title Loans During COVID-19 Pandemic
Crucial Georgia Usury Cap Should Be Expanded to Protect Consumers from the Debt Trap ATLANTA, GA – Yesterday, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) eliminated consumer protections against predatory payday and car title lenders...
More infoGeorgia Legislature Passes Legislation to End Surprise Medical Bills
ATLANTA (June 17, 2020) | Today, the Georgia Senate unanimously approved House Bill 888, bringing Georgia one step away from ending burdensome surprise medical bills. In February, Senator Chuck Hufstetler (R – Rome) and Representative Lee Hawkins (R –...
More infoGeorgia Watch Receives Grant from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with Public Agenda and Altarum for Innovative Health Initiative
Atlanta, GA (April 15, 2020) – Georgia Watch announces it has received a grant through Community Voices for Health (CVH), an initiative led by Public Agenda and Altarum, with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Statewide partners for the...
More infoCOVID-19 Crisis: 60 Organizations Call on Georgia Governor to Take Immediate Action to Ensure Residents are Protected from Utility Shut Offs
ATLANTA (April 1, 2020) | Today, 60 organizations across Georgia called on Governor Brian Kemp to take immediate action pursuant to his authority granted under the state’s emergency management act to ensure utility customers remain connected to...
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