Governor Brian Kemp signed 10 healthcare-related bills last week that he says “puts patients first and dramatically improves the healthcare landscape in Georgia.”
“Today, we signed healthcare legislation into law to improve access, lower costs, and increase the quality of care for countless Georgians – no matter their zip code,” said Kemp Thursday during the signing ceremony at the Cancer Treatment Centers oof America’s campus in Newnan.
“By giving cancer patients access to the treatment they desperately need, incentivizing competition, removing bureaucratic obstacles to quality care, and establishing innovative pilot projects to combat debilitating illnesses, Georgia will continue to lead on health care.”
Under the new law, Cancer Treatments Center of America (CTCA) will be able to expand, allowing more patients to be treated. Right now, according to officials, there are only 50 beds at the facility, but under the new law CTCA can apply to add about 10 beds a year. The measure also removes a requirement that the facility bring in at least 65 percent of its patients from out of state — a rule the Cancer Treatment Centers of America has fought for years.
”When you start talking about regulations and CON they have no idea what that is, they’re like, ‘That’s crazy, we need access. We don’t care about all that. We have a relative or a child who is dying and needs treatment or can’t get the right drug,’” Kemp said.
The governor also signed the Step Therapy bill into law, which gives more power to doctors to choose a patient’s medication — not insurers.
During the ceremony, Kemp praised lawmakers for coming together on a number of health-related measures this session and encouraged them to do so going forward. Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan joined Kemp at the bill signing.
Another bill signed by Kemp Thursday requires financial disclosures from nonprofit hospitals.
On Friday, Gov. Kemp signed a number of bills Gordon Lee High School in Chickamauga, including SB 77 which protects government statues, monuments, plaques, banners, and other commemorative symbols. The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Jeff Mullis, allows local governments to sue vandals who deface monuments for up to three times the value of the damages
Also on Friday, Gov. Kemp held a bill signing ceremony at The University of North Georgia — expanding access to broadband in rural Georgia. SB 2, SB 17, and SB 66 by Sen. Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega) were among the six bills signed during the ceremony.
