Laura C. for Georgians for a Healthy Future

TL;DR: I am less than a month away from my 10-year work anniversary at GHF. I have stuck around for a decade because working on BIG solutions for BIG problems is so rewarding! Help me kick-off the celebration of my 10th work anniversary by helping me reach my goal of 10 donors today. Thank you! 

Last week, I had the great honor to give the commencement address to the graduating class of UGA's College of Public Health. As I prepared what I was going to say to these young, excited public health professionals, I had the chance to reflect on what I love about public health and advocacy. Over 10 years, there's a lot to love--my co-workers and colleagues (they have been and are truly the best!); the many Georgians who have taken the time to talk with me about their health and health care over the years; dedicated government officials who want what's best for our state; and a lot more. 

But even more than those awesome parts of working at GHF is the opportunity to imagine new, healthier possibilities for Georgia and then to strategize and collaborate about how to make those possibilities real. Our GHF team is conspiring about changes to health care, coverage, and public health laws that make life easier, more affordable, fairer, and healthier for thousands or millions of Georgians at a time. It's exciting to optimistically hope for and then work towards a better future for our state.

 Here are a few of the policy solutions we've helped secure over the past year: 

1. With partners, GHF supported the passage of HB 404, the “Safe at Home Act.” This new law establishes basic protections for Georgia renters like ensuring rental units are fit for human habitation and limiting security deposits to no more than two months’ rent. The law aims to keep renters more stably housed, which can improve their physical and mental health!
2. With our partners at Voices for Georgia’s Children, GHF worked with state leaders to automatically check if children who receive food assistance (SNAP) are also eligible for Medicaid. This helps get more Georgia kids covered who would otherwise remain uninsured!
3. In the Georgia legislature’s first-ever committee hearing on a bill that would have closed Georgia's coverage gap, I was invited by the bill sponsor to be the primary expert witness. I detailed how closing the coverage gap would provide health insurance to 500,000 low-income, uninsured Georgians and how a policy like that would improve the health of Georgians, our state's economy, and our health system all at the same time. Even though the bill wasn't approved by the committee during this hearing, GHF made it more likely it will pass next time just by working with lawmakers to have a public conversation about the issue.  

That's exciting work that's worth investing in! I've invested 10 years of my career in leading and shaping changes to Georgia's laws and policies so that Georgians all across the state have the chance to live healthier lives. 

Help me celebrate this awesome milestone with a donation today! Thank you!