A new House study committee tasked with exploring the “lack of access to quality cancer care in Georgia” will hold its first meeting of the off-session next week at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville. State Rep. Lee Hawkins, R-Gainesville, called the meeting shortly after being named chair by Speaker of the House Jon Burns.
“I am grateful to the House and Speaker Burns for continuing to prioritize health care for Georgians in rural parts of the state,” said Hawkins, who chairs the full House Health Committee. “This study committee will investigate the barriers that citizens in rural parts of the state experience when trying to access quality cancer care. We will take a comprehensive look at how to improve early detection, expand screening efforts and invest in the medical workforce.
“From exploring the economic impact of cancer care centers and working to strengthen medical education, my colleagues and I will be committed to ensuring that every Georgian has access to timely, effective and equitable cancer treatment,” Hawkins added.
The special committee was created by House Resolution 72 during the 2025 Legislative session. The resolution states that “ideas and incentives to increase cancer screenings statewide should be evaluated, including a return on investment assessment of prevention and early detection efforts, to determine quality cancer care. The Resolution goes on to state that “the economic impact and significance of cancer care centers and other care facilities in Georgia needs to be explored; and medical education programs that attract and retain cancer physicians, nurses, advance practice providers, and clinical researchers are important to this state.”
During the initial meeting on May 29, the committee will hear from several stakeholders including Lynn Durham, EdD, President and CEO, Georgia CORE– who will present a map of Commission on Cancer Accredited Cancer Centers and Review of Georgia’s Cancer Ecosystem.
Chris Parker, MD, MPH, Director of the Georgia Health Policy Center at Georgia State University will present a history of tobacco settlement funds and state cancer funding, and Rana Bayakly, MPH, Chief Epidemiologist, Chronic Disease Division with the Georgia Department of Public Health will review cancer incidence and death data with a focus on underserved areas of Georgia.
According to Hawkins, the study committee will also hear from Koosh Desai, MD, Internist and Assistant Dean, Southwest Georgia Campus, Augusta University regarding cancer care access needs in Southwest Georgia.
