By Natasha Taylor, Senior Director of Policy and Access, Georgia Watch We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded $100,000 in renewed funding from leading health advocacy organization, Community Catalyst to support our work around medical...
More infoState efforts to regulate earned wage access are heating up
By Miriam Cross, American Banker — Attempts across state legislatures to regulate earned wage access services are picking up steam. Several states, including Georgia, Kansas, Texas and Virginia, introduced bills this year. Others, including New Jersey and...
More infoFloyd, Redmond earn “A”s for safety; roughly 4 in 10 Georgia hospitals receive a ‘C’ grade
By Rome News-Tribune Staff, Rome News-Tribune — When it comes to quality, some Georgia hospitals need a checkup — and it looks like Floyd County is a safe place to get it done. Of the 81 Peach State hospitals graded in a new report, 32 received a “C,”...
More infoRoughly four in 10 Georgia hospitals receive a ‘C’ grade
By T.A. DeFeo, The Center Square — (The Center Square) — When it comes to quality, some Georgia hospitals need a checkup. Of the 81 Peach State hospitals graded in a new report, 32 received a “C,” while 20 earned a “B,” and 19...
More infoWhy Georgia Power power bills are rising
By Emma Hurt, Axios Atlanta — Georgia Power bills will grow several times, for several reasons, over the next few years. Driving the news: The utility is asking the Public Service Commission to let it charge 2.7 million customers $16 more...
More infoLeapfrog Group Announces Spring 2023 Hospital Grades for Georgia
Data reveals CLABSI, MRSA and CAUTI rates spiked to a 5-year high during COVID-19 pandemic Atlanta, GA (May 8, 2023) – The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit representing hundreds of the nation’s most influential employers and purchasers of health...
More infoState regulators hear pleas for relief from rising electric bills in Georgia Power fuel rate case
By Stanely Dunlap, Georgia Recorder — Savannah resident Evelyn Jackson told Georgia utility regulators Tuesday that being a retiree on a fixed income means making more sacrifices in order to cover the rising costs to keep her home’s lights on. Jackson was...
More infoCracking the Code: Understanding the All-Payer Claims Database for Better Healthcare Decision-Making
By Rahwa Yehdego, Policy Research Associate, Georgia Watch An All-Payer Claims Database (APCD) is a powerful tool for increasing transparency in healthcare costs that 19 other states have adopted. Georgia Watch, Georgians for a Healthy Future, lawmakers...
More infoWhat Georgia Consumers Should Know About State and Federal Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills
By Rahwa Yehdego, Policy Research Associate, Georgia Watch Surprise billing, also called balance billing, can add hundreds or thousands of dollars to a person’s medical bill, often without their prior knowledge. With 70% of Georgians reporting struggles...
More infoCorporate lobbyists, trial lawyers set to rejoin battle next year after legislative split decision
By Stanely Dunlap, Georgia Recorder — A renewed debate about how victims are compensated in civil lawsuits is expected to resume in 2024 as Georgia legislators, insurance companies, attorneys, and business leaders deliberate everything from medical...
More infoCredit scores shed some medical debt; critics say it’s only partial help
By Michael E. Kanell, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution — Medical bills of less than $500 have been removed from credit scores by Atlanta-based Equifax and the other two leading consumer reporting companies. The action will help consumers by undoing some...
More infoAU Health, Wellstar merger hailed by some, dreaded by others
By Abraham Kenmore, The Augusta Chronicle — The merger of Augusta University Health with the Atlanta-based Wellstar Health System has drawn praise from Gov. Brian Kemp, University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue, and leaders of both Augusta...
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