Georgia and South Carolina Insurance Regulators Must Ensure Consumer Claims Get Paid in Full ATLANTA, GA, August 16, 2024—Today, Georgia Watch, the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), and United Policyholders shared tips and resources to help...
More infoGeorgia Watch, with 18 others, comments on proposed rule to ban medical debt on credit reports
ATLANTA, GA, August 12, 2024—Georgia Watch, alongside 18 organizations and advocates across Georgia, submitted comments today on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) proposed medical debt rule prohibiting medical bills from being reported on...
More infoGeorgia Ranked 23rd Nationally for Patient Safety
The Leapfrog Group Announces Spring 2024 Hospital Safety Grades Atlanta, GA, May 1, 2024 – The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit representing hundreds of the nation’s most influential employers and purchasers of health care, today announced the spring...
More infoGeorgia Watch Releases Updated Consumer Guide for Medical Bills and Debt
ATLANTA, GA, November 20, 2023 – Today, Georgia Watch, a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization, released an updated version of its Georgia Consumer Guide for Medical Bills and Debt. The guide provides information and resources for...
More infoNew Georgia law seeks to curb surprise billing in telehealth
By David Giangiulio, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution — After years of witnessing a growing telehealth industry, the Georgia General Assembly is aiming to fight surprise billing in the sector. Senate Bill 20, passed by lawmakers in the last legislative...
More infoGeorgia Watch receives renewed funding from Community Catalyst to address disparities in healthcare
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 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...
More infoEmpowering Immigrants: A Guide to Health Rights & Resources
By Rahwa Yehdego, Emory REAL Student Intern, Georgia Watch Nearly 1 in 10 Georgians are foreign-born, and 1 in 13 are native-born children with at least one immigrant parent [1]. This substantial immigrant population is essential to the social and economic...
More infoBetter Broadband Would Minimize Healthcare Gaps in Georgia
By Shanteya Hudson | Public News Service — A half-million Georgians face the reality of inadequate internet access, according to the state’s broadband annual report. The glaring digital divide drastically affects essential services in business...
More infoMetro man wants to help others after insurance company repeatedly denied life-saving surgery
Watch full video here. By Justin Gray, WSB-TV — HENRY COUNTY, Ga. — A Henry County man says a groundbreaking heart surgery changed his life and likely saved his life. But it’s a procedure his insurance company repeatedly denied. Channel 2 consumer...
More infoNearly 40% of Georgia hospitals earned average marks for safety from independent watchdog
By T.A. DeFeo, The Center Square — Roughly four in 10 Georgia hospitals earned a grade of C, according to a new analysis from an independent national watchdog. Of the 83 hospitals The Leapfrog Group graded, it gave 21 hospitals (25.3%) an A, 23...
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