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homes. “For us, it brings a whole
continuum of services that we
offer into one program,” he said.
“Seniors can be kept out of nursing
homes and receive all the services
they need with one provider. We’re
pretty excited about that.”
There are several PACE programs planned for Georgia, Pruitt
notes. “Hopefully we will be one of
the lucky awardees to be able to
operate the program.”
REGULATION RATIONALIZATION
On the national level, Pruitt
likes the move toward “regulation
rationalization” that will ease the
burden on healthcare companies.
He is encouraged that a proposed
bill with unfunded staffing requirements for healthcare providers is
no longer moving forward.
“We have very good state and
national leaders and we are excited to work with them to advance
health policy,” Pruitt continues.
“Georgia has always been very rational about government programs,
how we regulate and how we
care for patients. The governor is
finishing out his term and we look
forward to working with the next
governor. Georgia is definitely one
of our more stable states.”
Also on the federal level is legislation that would make it a federal
offense to assault a healthcare worker. It’s called the Violence Against
Healthcare Workers Act and would
impose federal criminal penalties for
violence against hospital staff.
“We have seen more and more
of this over the years. Violence
against healthcare workers is why
were are losing the healthcare
workforce,” says Noggle.
Georgia passed a similar bill in
2023 and Noggle thinks the federal
language is mirrored after some of
that. “We’re very supportive and
hopeful that it will receive final
passage this year to help us further
grow our workforce,” the Hospital
Asssociation CEO says.
Another constant push in the
healthcare industry is “insurer
accountability”— making sure
patients aren’t unfairly denied
procedures by their insurance companies. When all is said and done,
financing healthcare is the ultimate
balancing act, Noggle says.
“The hospitals do a great job of
partnering together between rural
and urban, to try to get as many
patients to the right resources, at
the right time and the right location,” she said. “It’s a balancing act
between those that have insurance,
and the increased number of folks
who don’t have insurance. You can
see how the scenario becomes a
little precarious for many folks. It is
tough. But I can consider it a privilege to be able to work in it.”
David Beasley is a Georgia based freelance
writer.
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