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...
More infoMarking the 10th Anniversary: Leapfrog Group Announces Fall 2022 Hospital Grades for Georgia
Atlanta, GA, November 30, 2022 – Marking the tenth anniversary of the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, the Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization representing the nation’s most influential employers and purchasers of health care...
More infoPatients angry over Atlanta Medical Center closing
By Crystal Bui, CBS46 — Health care isn’t cheap in the United States. And for many who couldn’t afford it, Atlanta Medical Center, which was part of the non-profit group Wellstar Health System, was able to help. But now with AMC shutting its doors, many...
More infoCovid-19 booster shot will no longer be covered by the federal government
By Crystal Bui and Jamarlo Phillips, CBS 46 — Throughout the pandemic, Americans have been able to get the covid-19 vaccines, treatments, and the tests without having to pay with their own money. But that’s about to change. The Biden administration is...
More infoConsumers who owe medical bills will receive help as of July in terms of their credit report
By JoAnn Merrigan, WSAV — Up to 19% of people in Georgia have a medical bill that’s in collections. “And it’s even higher among people of color, up to 21%,” says Liz Coyle from Georgia Watch.“Sometimes those debts remain on consumers’ credit reports for...
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