[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6667821,"mediaKeyId","2254456-206ff792e09fed2932dc2e31a207bdb5","parentId",2254456,"title","Committee delays vote on medical‑cannabis changes after members raise advertising and scope concerns","audioSeconds",2340,"startMs",3842000,"endMs",6182000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2254456-206ff792e09fed2932dc2e31a207bdb5&start=3842&end=6182","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2254456-206ff792e09fed2932dc2e31a207bdb5/thumbnail_3842000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6667821/Georgia/Committee-delays-vote-on-medicalcannabis-changes-after-members-raise-advertising-and-scope-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6667821-a2d863da020f865a227f255f448f6bc9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773748151&Signature=UizvQXwT~MgZ73a2iW0fWGlalD4rZNiLVBSe9Tk3NBLAc40tZZqNzYOVj~o1ew1M1rRm1sIoh~-WHzMXol7nv0oT6aVuESx1w5Xq4cMeMwq~vZdlEAnaScB7rrujRMP0F4DNTloAXqGtw3UwRRQojyCio2Z-rTYIEGFUa~FvVaL8t9nhgHet2p-l65NdhUvY-0qY5g8p0FONqsh4vunx8KHtL4fj3jf6xNeTk3PZ8a5IOYhZgAAVLQ8guwGxmq0XxK1uVNTE919rkDaIrJTHg8GRwiMotEO80HzOpmT7mNO357o1ZyP8Qb04xZAdb9JUGCqhT-jexv3TI5INXcIZYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Georgia ","date","2025-02-10T21:27:14.12Z","article","The Georgia House Health Committee discussed HB227 (LC550411), a proposal to retitle the state’s low‑THC oil program as a medical‑cannabis program, remove “severe” and “end‑stage” caveats from qualifying conditions, and clarify public awareness activities by the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission.

Sponsor Representative Dickey said the bill does not change permitted products (it does not allow smokeable flower), does not add new qualifying medical conditions, and is intended to make the program easier for patients to access and for physicians to recommend products in tested forms (oils, tinctures, patches, capsules). He said Georgia’s program currently has low patient participation compared with other states and that the bill’s name change and removal of “end‑stage” qualifiers could increase patient access.

Committee concerns: Several members questioned two features. First, some members objected to language that committee members said could be read as allowing licensees to engage in public advertising to the general public. Lawmakers urged narrowing the language and clarifying that public outreach should be limited and under the commission’s control. Second, members pressed whether the bill’s product definitions could be interpreted to permit smokeable products or edible forms attractive to children; sponsors and others said the bill was not intended to change allowable products and urged cross‑references to existing code that define legal product forms.

Amendment effort and withdrawal: Committee members debated an amendment to strike language about marketing and to limit licensees’ communication to physicians and health‑care providers. Representative Scofield asked to add lupus to the qualifying conditions; members agreed to consider that. After extended discussion and a proposal to prepare a revised substitute with clarified language about advertising, product definitions and inclusion of lupus, committee members withdrew the motion to pass and agreed that the sponsor would return with a perfected substitute for further consideration.

Next steps: The sponsor and committee chairs asked counsel to draft a substitute clarifying the advertising and public‑awareness provisions and to return with amended language. No final vote was taken at this hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Health 02.10.25","oneSentenceSummary","Representatives debated a bill to rename Georgia’s low‑THC oil program, expand qualifying conditions and allow public awareness activity. Members raised concerns about advertising, product definitions and removing \"end‑stage\" qualifiers; the motion to pass was withdrawn and sponsors said they will return with a revised substitute.","taxTitle","Appropriations, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Georgia","taxId",16937,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6667825,"Committee approves bill allowing hospitals to offer flu vaccine at discharge to adults 18 and older",104,3712000,3816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2254456-206ff792e09fed2932dc2e31a207bdb5&start=3712&end=3816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2254456-206ff792e09fed2932dc2e31a207bdb5/thumbnail_3712000.jpg","/articles/6667825/Georgia/Committee-approves-bill-allowing-hospitals-to-offer-flu-vaccine-at-discharge-to-adults-18-and-older","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6667825-6c7f13e1b53af1dbf20a01a2d8080715/orig.mp4?Expires=1773748151&Signature=V-uS8jBmPCybfwwG9JJsxTmRbRlaxKssIcq6hbUulkvDr3MF6QJKD0nhkVtLB8Infm2xvioz48iayvpIp2CELA7CygMxnO52Mr0h~slZhNKE~Qur4NvhgLpjSQy7~qcFfYVXBXnW8yiWnJLy46z1Us1v7lYs38kSp7GpoT2TZ-7NXygbF16OGhBrMSG8AIsP6hWv8kNd2PN2QzoQ1wo9xZirl5XcvKdjg05uFmHmTRYxJQI4qbWHir5g-ESAeyEV8qxJ1RoVzXqa0Gl7CSWigMn38FiorLC7QUdtTOdSqK8oVfpgLOiVieRH54ZL1toC21UHa2C5ze8LDmp5FHL58A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Georgia House Health Committee gave a favorable report to a measure (HB218, LC461009) to permit hospitals to offer influenza vaccination to patients on discharge starting at age 18 rather than age 50.

Sponsor Representative Dempsey said the change is limited to offering — not mandating — the vaccine at hospital discharge; an individual may accept or decline. He noted the Affordable Care Act and the federal Inflation Reduction Act require coverage of influenza vaccines under many plans, and Medicaid coverage was clarified under recent federal guidance, so the sponsor said the change should not impose direct costs on patients or hospitals.

Vote: The committee approved the measure by voice vote and reported the bill favorably.

Context: Representative Dempsey framed the bill as an incremental, preventive step to reduce influenza‑related complications among adults with chronic conditions. No fiscal note or appropriation was discussed at the hearing.","The committee approved a do‑pass recommendation to expand an existing hospital discharge influenza‑offering policy from patients age 50 and older to patients age 18 and older; sponsors said coverage requirements under federal law and the IRA make costs to patients minimal.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6667830,"Committee advances substitute to HB196 to set pharmacy reimbursement floor for state health plan; fiscal note pending",820,2895000,3715000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2254456-206ff792e09fed2932dc2e31a207bdb5&start=2895&end=3715","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2254456-206ff792e09fed2932dc2e31a207bdb5/thumbnail_2895000.jpg","/articles/6667830/Georgia/Committee-advances-substitute-to-HB196-to-set-pharmacy-reimbursement-floor-for-state-health-plan-fiscal-note-pending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6667830-89791e58f64d88b1ec4794227bcc8f06/orig.mp4?Expires=1773748151&Signature=aCqPvva~Nlhd82XPKak-CFsnWlF43Sgnn7CSPxSy-lQCSR5z0pSXPHo50vxX0UaDFobdE74jDh77FfMNWvq4RtYxZrJ6BFGOMCncyIpmYqP5scaXGe3jhaGw5n8LsRCNBKHTjMTFeL8emFDjBKO5sYO4UfL6RRcL2ckKTdNNF~LMlMi09ss5nM5bLRk1isR~XZPHDr2f9CCQP8FgRqU0GFe54j7knouyDKNn-inT3SWGDJ2VvkR-U5v44ZhBYmv0w~7s9lLkjXHL5WgZjZVvzMFxQYO77yKdibyCqXC7oE2TGhr~uYg-eVvIXGWST153rA0BwYx9L6sVTdH1fqEROg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Georgia House Health Committee voted to report LC570229S, a substitute to House Bill 196 that sets a minimum reimbursement calculation for pharmacies that dispense drugs to covered persons under the state health plan.

Under the substitute described by Representative Trey Kelly, reimbursement to a pharmacy would be the sum of the national average drug acquisition cost (NADAC) or another acquisition benchmark if NADAC is unavailable, plus a professional dispensing fee that would be no less than the fee paid under Title XIX (the Social Security Act) for the state’s Medicaid program; the prior draft also included a modest percent add‑on (4% of NADAC or $50, whichever is less), which was revised while the committee worked with the Department of Community Health (DCH).

Why it matters: Supporters framed the bill as a way to protect independent and local pharmacies by providing a reasonable reimbursement floor and to ensure the state health benefit plan (state employees and university employees) preserves access to local dispensing pharmacies.

Agency input and fiscal note: Dean Burke, chief medical officer at the Department of Community Health, and DCH staff described the process by which DCH and external consultants (Aon) and the incumbent PBM (CVS Caremark) provided cost estimates. Committee members and the sponsor emphasized they will ensure an appropriation in fiscal year 2026 to cover any state health benefit plan impact. Several members asked for and were told the fiscal note is ongoing and will be provided to the committee later.

Vote and next steps: The committee approved LC570229S by voice vote. The transcript records the committee’s favorable vote and notes that a final fiscal note will be provided later; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript.","A substitute to House Bill 196 (LC570229S) that would set a reimbursement floor for pharmacies filling prescriptions under the state health benefit plan passed the committee; the Department of Community Health is preparing an updated fiscal note.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6667834,"House committee approves bill requiring scheduling options for insurer peer‑to‑peer reviews to avoid distracting providers",1212,1658000,2870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2254456-206ff792e09fed2932dc2e31a207bdb5&start=1658&end=2870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2254456-206ff792e09fed2932dc2e31a207bdb5/thumbnail_1658000.jpg","/articles/6667834/Georgia/House-committee-approves-bill-requiring-scheduling-options-for-insurer-peertopeer-reviews-to-avoid-distracting-providers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6667834-3e8ab53a77e9bcc4f73faee7d484e9d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773748152&Signature=M2SN1CHSX0ADaehyI5FV4mtcht8cwUWDe5eu9S4Kr04IE9IWrf~tUwV~ICVSvFCjJerUT53WuD4ss1EMLTzhZW1Iv7vH~w1-9TXBtikVBKOj7e~MleDkUm1BBl6s5t0k79Cja6~fb~E5N-zSGs3gIREtDuTKgRVbpP0N7JIG8T1uQ8-8ukn8M4rO6NWksAVT1Pmi2Sf7ED9AV3pxmPhovVZW9DiKKLx9OWq4JvmNtlBZomH741ZfALqMmbiWKqYr5T4HfpiqV9CpZMR8048MdcVQ7IhygaHsNh0JRBfk9fXH-7oNNvrhdsz8DAq9~EvLkd6Sf9GfvIzvF3lY1qqnqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Georgia House Health Committee voted to give LC461010 a favorable report after hearing testimony that prior‑authorization peer‑to‑peer calls sometimes interrupt physicians during patient care.

Author and sponsor Representative Hawkins told the committee the bill would require insurers to offer alternatives when a treating provider cannot immediately take a peer‑to‑peer call. Options would include setting an agreed callback time, contracting with the treating provider’s designee, or providing a web/telecommunication scheduling system.

Why it matters: Physicians and surgeons testified that insurers sometimes require immediate peer‑to‑peer calls and that missing a call can result in a denial of coverage and delays in care. Proponents said scheduling will reduce distractions during procedures and improve timely access to care.

Testimony and examples: Chairman Hawkins described a widely circulated social‑media post from plastic surgeon Dr. Elizabeth Potter in which she recounted being called by an insurer in the middle of surgery and having to scrub out to respond. The Medical Association of Georgia (MAG) representatives — Anna Ruzica (MAG staff) and Dr. Jeff Marshall (advocate and interventional cardiologist) — described the regularity of preauthorization calls and said the requirement to make or take calls imposes a substantial administrative burden on clinicians.

Insurer engagement: Committee testimony noted work with insurance representatives. The bill’s supporters said they worked with Jesse (J.C.) Wetherington, who represents health insurers, and that some payers supported the scheduling approach.

Vote and next steps: The committee recorded a voice vote in favor of the bill; the motion carried and the committee reported the bill out (voice vote). The transcript does not provide a roll‑call tally or named mover/second.

Speaker list and attribution: Key committee participants included Representative Hawkins (bill author), Dr. Jeff Marshall (Medical Association of Georgia advocate), Anna Ruzica (Medical Association of Georgia staff), Dr. Elizabeth Potter (quote from social media), and Representative Parsons (questioning member).","The Georgia House Health Committee approved LC461010 to let treating providers schedule peer‑to‑peer discussions with insurers or use callback/web options instead of answering immediate calls; proponents said it eases delays and reduces risk to patients.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6667838,"Physician tells Georgia House committee Office of Cardiac Care is underfunded and urges support for rural hospital certification",697,959000,1656000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2254456-206ff792e09fed2932dc2e31a207bdb5&start=959&end=1656","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2254456-206ff792e09fed2932dc2e31a207bdb5/thumbnail_959000.jpg","/articles/6667838/Georgia/Physician-tells-Georgia-House-committee-Office-of-Cardiac-Care-is-underfunded-and-urges-support-for-rural-hospital-certification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6667838-e4150dd92eda40aaefeab1eb6635898f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773748151&Signature=SrDnv73mApXmvSC1ADjzZtaQYW2Vh0C3etxrR2tlal4YiViHziMEaegBAE4tw7TAPGDSBbGVUOiXqFlD~rqLj~lBFoW~ZMayFGTgIc0LB~hW4KkdoiNdvoHgI1aXgCgZTq7krolTx6VJQ2HV0gZosmzNfUJJvxfBXULKW~Q1PrrxQYsHY5FKckRFYninxrUGfMGzuvGcz7p7GJJ4-oUak2oVBmPRNJ3Pn4xGYt1ZIBUSYSTmsb802wkk27lNdvIpUQJ67jNLejaJ~NNfIiDPu2eb6DNATv-jpaY26QoTiNLQqnso~pFpT2cIbQQ3-t8KoSSf2NEvi3A1TC0v~xJIbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A physician told the Georgia House Health Committee that Georgia’s Office of Cardiac Care has helped lower deaths from time-sensitive cardiac emergencies but lacks funding to expand coverage to smaller, rural hospitals.

The presenter said the state has organized hospitals into level 1, 2 and 3 centers, with 19 level 1 hospitals, 19 level 2 hospitals and 10 level 3 hospitals; many hospitals are still pending certification. The presenter described protocols such as out-of-hospital resuscitation, targeted temperature management and use of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) for select patients, and said those protocols, combined with pre-hospital activation, have reduced mortality for STEMI, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and cardiogenic shock.

Why it matters: The presenter argued that cardiac disease is the single largest cause of death in the state and nationwide and that maternal mortality after childbirth is driven in large part by cardiovascular causes. The presenter asked the committee to consider fiscal support for the Office of Cardiac Care so more rural hospitals could be certified and participate in the Emergency Cardiac Care network.

Key details: The presenter said there are about 3,500 STEMI hospitalizations and more than 5,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Georgia annually. He said almost half of Georgia hospitals will be certified in the next 12–18 months but that many level 3 (rural) hospitals remain uncertified or pending review. The presenter contrasted funding levels for programs: roughly $500,000 for cardiac care centers, $3 million for the Coverdell stroke program, and tens of millions for trauma programs, and said cardiac funding is small relative to cardiac mortality.

On maternal mortality, the presenter said that, of maternal deaths within a year of delivery, 53 percent are attributable to cardiovascular problems and that, when including conditions such as hypertension and pulmonary embolism, that share can rise to as much as about 60–63 percent. Committee members pressed for clarity about those percentages and the base counts; one lawmaker noted the state sees roughly 35–40 maternal deaths per year and emphasized the presenter’s percentages refer to the share of maternal deaths attributable to cardiovascular causes rather than to the share of mothers who die.

Committee discussion and context: Members noted workforce and access problems in rural areas, including shortages of cardiologists. One member said telehealth and phone-app programs are being piloted to help rural clinicians access cardiology input. Committee members thanked the presenter and said they would explore funding options; no formal committee action was recorded during this presentation.

The presenter closed by asking lawmakers for fiscal support to encourage rural hospitals to join the Emergency Cardiac Care network and to ensure 24/7 capacity where needed.","A physician briefing to the Georgia House Health Committee said state cardiac protocols have reduced deaths but that the Office of Cardiac Care is underfunded, leaving rural hospitals less able to take part in time-sensitive emergency networks.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee delays vote on medical‑cannabis changes after members raise advertising and scope concerns

Committee approves bill allowing hospitals to offer flu vaccine at discharge to adults 18 and older

Committee advances substitute to HB196 to set pharmacy reimbursement floor for state health plan; fiscal note pending

House committee approves bill requiring scheduling options for insurer peer‑to‑peer reviews to avoid distracting providers

Physician tells Georgia House committee Office of Cardiac Care is underfunded and urges support for rural hospital certification