ATLANTA — The Georgia House of Representatives passed two bills introduced by state Representative Donna Sheldon (R-Dacula) on Crossover Day, Thursday, March 7, 2013. House Bill 499 passed with a vote of 134-35, and House Resolution 107 passed with a vote of 167-5.
“These two important pieces of legislation will help ensure Georgians continue to receive the level of quality medical care they expect,” said Rep. Sheldon. “Georgia doctors and other medical providers should be able to continue practicing without unnecessary or unexpected intrusions by the federal government.”
House Bill 499 ensures that the state of Georgia will determine the standard of proof for negligence, “the standard of care,” and “the standard of duty” in medical malpractice cases, not the Affordable Care Act (also known as “Obamacare”). For more information about HB 499, please click here.
House Resolution 107 creates a joint House and Senate 18-member study committee that will evaluate the state’s Medicaid program. The study committee will also examine other states’ best practices and plan for future actions that may be necessary to sustain appropriate levels of Medicaid services and funding. The committee is authorized to meet for five days and must report its findings by December 31, 2013, when it will stand abolished. For more information about HR 107, please click here.
“I believe it is important that Georgia chart its own course regarding best practices within its Medicaid program,” said Rep. Sheldon. “Medicaid receives 14 percent of the state budget, and we cannot sustain our state’s growth under the current Medicaid program. The problem is compounded when the federal government attempts to increase state Medicaid costs through unwanted federal mandates like Obamacare.”
Thursday, March 7, 2013, marked the 30th legislative day of the 2013 session. Known as “Crossover Day,” this critical point in the session marks the last chance for most bills to pass the legislative chamber from where they originated.
Representative Donna Sheldon represents the citizens of District 104, which includes portions of Gwinnett County. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2002, and is currently the Vice-Chairman of the Transportation Committee. She also currently serves on the Appropriations, Economic Development & Tourism, Ethics, Rules, and Transportation committees.
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