FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, April 12, 2023

ATLANTA |Today, Lt. Governor Burt Jones announced legislative and citizen appointments to the Senate Study Committee on Certificate of Need (CON) Reform.

“As a 6th generation rural Georgian, I understand from personal experience what a lack of healthcare access means to rural Georgia families,” said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. “Expanding access to healthcare and reviewing how the current certificate of need laws are hindering this process will be a focus of this study committee. The appointees are experts on this issue. I look forward to their work around the state to ensure that input on this topic is prioritized from local communities and Georgians, not special interests protecting the status quo.”

The study committee was established by the passage of Senate Resolution 279 during the 2023 session. The following members will serve on the 12 member committee:

  • Senator Greg Dolezal (R – Cumming) – Chairman of the Study Committee
  • Senator Matt Brass (R – Newnan)
  • Senator Bill Cowsert (R – Athens)
  • Senator Ed Harbison ( D – Columbus)
  • Senator Kay Kirkpatrick ( R – Marietta)
  • Senator Freddie Powell Sims (D – Dawson)
  • Senator Ben Watson (R – Savannah)
  • Matt Hasbrouck – CEO at Memorial Meadows in Vidalia
  • Mark A. Baker – CEO of Hughston Clinic
  • Christine Macewen – Corporate Counsel, Legal Services at Piedmont Healthcare
  • Jesse Weathington – President and CEO of Georgia Association of Health Plans
  • Dr. Steven B. Wertheim – Former Co-President of Resurgens

Study Committee members will hold meetings throughout the state in communities where expansion for healthcare access was denied or is limited due to certificate of need regulations. Dates and locations will be announced at a later date.

For all of the information related to this study committee, please follow this page: https://www.senate.ga.gov/committees/en-US/2023StudyCommittees.aspx

Contact

Policy and Communications Director Ines Owens

[email protected]