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THE WATCHER 

News From Georgia Watch
January 14, 2016
In This Issue
2016 Legislative Breakfast
Health Policy Breakfast
New Health Access funding
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The 2016 Legislative Session in Georgia kicked off earlier this week. Georgia Watch will be active at the Capitol throughout the session as a powerful voice for Georgia consumers!

We invite you to join us on January 28 for our annual Legislative Breakfast to hear from our panel of legislators as they discuss key policies impacting consumers in the State. 

Please be on the lookout for action alerts from us throughout the session as we call on you to contact your legislators to amplify consumer concerns on the issues that matter most to you.

Sincerely yours,
Liz Coyle
Executive Director
 
2016 Legislative Breakfast
Please join us for our third annual Legislative Breakfast for a discussion of issues facing Georgia consumers.
 
Thursday, January 28,  7:30-9:30 a.m. 
Blue Room at the Freight Depot
Tickets: $40 per person, $75 per couple

Featuring our Legislative Panelists:
Rep. Don Parsons (R-Marietta)
Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates)
Rep. Penny Houston (R-Nashville)
 Sen. Ed Harbison (D-Columbus)

Moderated by: 
 

For more information or to sponsor the event, 
contact Liz Coyle at 404-525-1085 

Health Policy Breakfast on February 2 
Getting What You Pay For: Consumer Protections for Network Adequacy, Surprise Medical Bills, and Provider Directories
 
February 2, 2016 - 8am
Freight Depot, Blue Room 

Join Georgians for a Healthy Future and us for a policy forum featuring an in-depth panel discussion on network adequacy, surprise medical bills and provider directories. Panelists will speak on how these issues are impacting consumers in Georgia and across the nation, policy implications, current legislative work and how you can get involved in supporting advocacy efforts. 

The panel will feature:
  • Senator Dean Burke, District 11
  • Julie Silas, Consumer Union
  • Meredith Gonsahn, Georgians for a Healthy Future
  • Beth Stephens, Georgia Watch
New Health Access Program funding 
We are excited to announce that the Health Access Program at Georgia Watch recently received a $75,000 policy grant to fund a new community health improvement project. The project is funded solely by a grant from Healthcare Georgia Foundation. Created in 1999 as an independent private foundation, the Foundation's mission is to advance the health of all Georgians and to expand access to affordable, quality healthcare for underserved individuals and communities.  The project will establish a multi-stakeholder Intersectoral Community Health Improvement Collaborative.  The engaged stakeholders represent the interests of rural communities throughout Georgia. Together the group will explore ideas and innovative programs aimed at community health improvement in our state.