ATLANTA – State Representative Gerald Greene (R-Cuthbert) was recently appointed to serve as a member of the House Study Committee on Exploring a Floor and Trade Charity Care System by Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge). This study committee will examine various ways to distribute the burden of uncompensated health care more evenly across the different types of health care providers.
“This study committee will look at innovative ways that we can continue to provide indigent and charity care in our state, while creating more efficiencies and cost savings throughout our health care system,” said Rep. Greene. “This approach could result in greater capital flow to Georgia hospitals, especially those in the rural parts of our state. I look forward to working on this study committee to explore ways that we can increase care for our most needy citizens and aid our rural hospitals.”
The House Study Committee on Exploring a Floor and Trade Charity Care System, which was established through House Resolution 584 during the 2019 legislative session, will explore alternatives to providing health care coverage through a floor and trade or tradeable credit program for uncompensated care. These potential programs would incentivize the provision of indigent or charitable care outside of an emergency room, streamline the methods used to calculate the amount of indigent and charity care that is provided in the state, as well as account for the rapidly changing health care environment, including the significant changes in the number of uninsured Georgians.
The study committee is chaired by State Representative Todd Jones (R-South Forsyth) and other members include: State Representatives Spencer Frye (D-Athens); Penny Houston (R-Nashville); Carolyn Hugley (D-Columbus); Steve Tarvin (R-Chickamauga); Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville); Dane Peterson, Emory Healthcare; Jimmy Lewis, Hometown Health; Matt Crouch, Peachford Hospital; Teresa Finch, Doctors Hospital; and Frank W. Berry, Georgia Department of Health.
For more information about the House Study Committee on Exploring a Floor and Trade Charity Care System, please click here.
Representative Gerald Greene represents the citizens of District 151, which includes Calhoun, Clay, Early, Quitman, Randolph, Stewart, Terrell and Webster counties, as well as portions of Dougherty County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1982 and currently serves as Chairman of the State Properties Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and the Economic Development & Tourism, Public Safety & Homeland Security, Retirement, Special Rules and Rules committees.
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