“…should a need or emergency arise.”

Deal2Just six words.  Six words at the end of a press release from Georgia Governor Nathan Deal.  But, these six words reveal just how out of touch and mean-spirited our Georgia leadership has become.  Today Governor Deal announced a 3 part plan intended to help rural communities facing closing (and closed) hospitals.   The first piece of his plan will loosen some rules and regulations  to allow hospitals to offer fewer services but remain open.  While certainly not the best solution, keeping emergency rooms and some other services available is a good thing.  Second, is the Rural Hospitals Stabilization Committee (oh, if only it were the Blue Ribbon Rural Hospitals Stabilization Committee – I love a Blue Ribbon Committee!).

Lastly, The Governor announced that:

To increase the flow of communication between hospitals and the state, Deal is designating an employee within the Department of Community Health to serve as a point person for rural hospitals.

Later in the press release we learn:  “I am confident that these proposals will increase communication between stakeholders and ensure that every Georgian is reasonably close to a health care provider should a need or emergency arise.”

And here is where I got really mad.  “should a need or emergency arise.”  Seriously?  The needs are already there.  Every community needs access to ongoing health care.  Healthcare is not the emergency room.  Healthcare is regular checkups; healthy children visits; immunizations; care for chronic illnesses.  There is no question that needs will arise.  The Governor of any state should understand that consistent and regular preventive treatment is an important the key to a healthy and productive community.

While not the panacea that we’d like it to be, we do have an option that would greatly improve health outcomes and access in rural communities. The Governor could just accept the 100% Federal (thru 2016, 90% after) funding for Medicaid Expansion.


Posted

in

, , ,

by

Comments

One response to ““…should a need or emergency arise.””

  1. Profesora Martinez Avatar
    Profesora Martinez

    The time it is overdo. Teachers, state employees and all Georgias know that something is wrong, but seems we are so busy trying to make ends meet, we haven’t fully understand the consecuences short and long term of what it is happenning.
    When the primaries come May 20th, and the Governor is not up to reelection then he will fully understand how, we the people is expecting from him.
    Certainly, he have forgotten how important it is to get the medicaid funds for our state, but he is very stuburn and unwilling to swallow his pride, and do what is best for the people of Georgia. Get medicaid funds and raise teachers salaries.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *