Sen. Isakson Promotes Healthcare Competition

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson says competition is essential to solving the nation’s healthcare problems. His comments came Monday just before President Barack Obama addressed medical experts about national healthcare reform. Senator Isakson said it’s not the quality of American healthcare that’s the problem … it’s the number of uninsured. His solution? -- Improving the current system’s combination of private and public healthcare:

“Having private competition, facilities like Emory that are private, public like Grady competing with one another is a good system. What we have got to guard against is becoming a single-payer government paying system. You take competition out of healthcare and you’ll have less quality and a higher cost.”

Isakson says Medicare Part D is a model of success … where he says thanks to competing providers nearly all seniors now have prescription drug coverage, premium costs are down, and the number of providers is up.

Many Republicans fear the Obama Administration will bring the nation toward a single-payer government system. Several hours after Isakson’s comments President Barack Obama declared to the American Medical Association in Chicago that he does not favor socialized medicine.

Governor Perdue Requests Presidential Major Disaster Declaration

Governor Sonny Perdue today requested a Presidential disaster declaration which would lead to federal aid for severe weather and flood damages in 33 Georgia counties.

“The recent floods in south Georgia have adversely impacted the lives of many Georgians,” said Governor Perdue. “The requested disaster funding will help residents, businesses and local governments recover from this disaster and rebuild their lives.”

Governor Perdue also issued an Executive Order today declaring a state of emergency in 17 additional counties affected by heavy rain and severe weather that have passed through Georgia since March 27. The counties are: Appling, Bacon, Brantley, Clinch, Dodge, Dougherty, Echols, Grady, Irwin, Lanier, Montgomery, Pierce, Toombs, Upson, Ware, Wheeler and Wilcox.

Previously, 16 counties were included in the State of Emergency orders, including Atkinson, Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Calhoun, Coffee, Colquitt, Decatur, Early, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Tift, Turner and Worth. When joint state-federal damage assessments began on April 7, officials determined that more counties needed to be added emergency declaration. The additional counties reported disruptions to a large number of roads, bridges, drainage systems, waste treatment facilities and other crucial infrastructure.

Some examples of the impact of the severe weather and flooding on these counties include: 36 local road closures; 16 federal and state route closures; five damaged wastewater treatment facilities; five damaged neighborhood or community sanitary sewer lift stations; three damaged public drinking water systems; six damaged bridges; and 20 reported school system closures.

Governor Perdue's request follows joint surveys conducted over the past several days by local, state and federal damage assessment teams, which is a requirement of the disaster declaration process. Initial damage assessments conducted over a widespread area revealed that more than 600 homes were damaged.

Governor Perdue requested Public Assistance (PA) programs for 30 of the counties: Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Calhoun, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Dodge, Early, Echols, Grady, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Montgomery, Pierce, Tift, Toombs, Turner, Upson, Ware, Wheeler, Wilcox and Worth. PA programs provide funding for debris removal, emergency protective measures, roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities, and parks and recreational facilities.

In addition, the Governor requested Individual Assistance (IA) programs for 18 of the counties: Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Coffee, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Pierce, Tift, Ware, Wheeler and Worth. IA programs include funding for the Individuals and Households Program, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Disaster Legal Services, and Small Business Administration disaster loans.

“Damage assessments completed to date confirm that damage from the flooding left hundreds of Georgians in need of assistance,” said Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) Director Charley English. “Our agency will continue working with local emergency officials to provide needed state resources and pursue available federal assistance.”

Joint state and federal damage assessment teams will continue to work to determine the full scope of the damage to businesses, residences and public facilities in all counties reporting damage to ensure that all who qualify for assistance will be included.

GEMA is the lead state agency for coordination of emergency and disaster response activities. For more emergency information, visit GEMA's Web site at www.gema.ga.gov. To learn how to prepare for disaster, visit www.ready.ga.gov . For more information on federal assistance programs please go to www.fema.gov.

(Governor's Office News Release)

Hospital Reopens Rooms After Legionnaires Disease Cleanup

Atlanta's largest hospital is ready to begin moving patients back into rooms where the bacteria that causes Legionnaire's disease was recently detected.

A spokeswoman on Monday said Grady Memorial Hospital is ready to reopen 11th-floor rooms, after test results that show an intensive cleaning worked. A 12th-floor area also is safe, but a hospital spokeswoman says that will remain closed for repair work.

Last month, lab tests showed legionella bacteria in water samples taken from the two areas, where four patients came down with the disease since Jan. 1. All were treated and released.

(AP)

Thomasville, Area Residents Take Stock in Tornadoes' Wake (photos)

Last Thursday's tornadoes caused heavy damage to a mental hospital and two counties in southwest Georgia.

Red dots represent the tornadoes' damage track near Thomasville, Ga. Click image for larger graphic. (Courtesy: NOAA)

Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine visited and flew over areas hit by the twisters, and puts an over $10 million dollar price tag on the damage.

The tornadoes blew down two pine trees across this house off State Highway 319, south of Thomasville. Ga., in this photo taken on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009. (Photo courtesy Greg Miller)

He says he was surprised by the extent of the destruction, and adds that Thomas County sustained the greatest damage statewide:

"In Thomas and Grady County there were about 100 homes and other structures that were damaged by the two tornadoes that went through Thomas County, and there were about two dozen that were either destroyed or almost destroyed."

The storms wreaked havoc on Southwestern State mental Hospital in Thomasville. Officials, however, report no injuries.

The tornado demolished this enclosed corridor, "part of an old military barracks on the Southwestern State Hospital campus." (Photo: Teresa Williams/Thomasville Times-Enterprise)

Almost 160 patients remain hospitalized at the 420-bed center, although many have been moved to other facilities in Columbus and Milledgeville, for the interim.

Oxendine says his office hopes to meet with counterparts at the Department of Human Resources, who run Southwestern State, in coming days.

The storm's winds overturned this school bus, in the parking lot of the Brookwood school, Thomasville. Ga., in this photo taken on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009. The school sustained damage, but there were no injuries to students or staff, according to the photographer. (Photo courtesy Greg Miller)

Officials estimate the storm's effects statewide at upwards of $35 million dollars.

View Larger Map

Google street level map of Southwestern State Hospital at Thomasville, Ga.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of last week's storms.

Severe Weather Sweeps Georgia

Georgia emergency officials this morning say there is damage in several areas of the state from severe weather that rolled through late yesterday afternoon through the evening. From north, to central, east-central, west, and extreme southwest Georgia--reports of tornado touchdowns and damage.

Buzz Weiss with GEMA gave GPB an update as of 6am:
-Hancock County in east-central Georgia: reports of one fatality and a handful of injuries with damage in the area.
- Jasper County in central Georgia: at least 100 structures damaged.
- Coweta County in west Georgia: possible tornado touchdowns
- Grady and Thomas counties in SW-Ga.: possible tornado hits.
- Wilkes County in east Georgia: damage reported.

Weiss says GEMA this morning is working with local emergency officials to offer assistance needed--everything from debris removal and any needs for shelter set-up.

Suspect hospitalized after suicide try

Authorities say a man accused in the beating death of his girlfriend's 2-year-old son was rushed to a hospital on Friday after apparently trying to hang himself in jail. Fulton County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Nikita Hightower said 20-year-old Mario Cunningham was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital. He was being held without bond and is charged with murder and child cruelty in the death of Elijah Singleton. According to authorities, Cunningham first told them Elijah drowned in a tub after he left the child unsupervised in the middle of bathing him on Friday, but an autopsy determined the toddler was beaten to death. The mother, 23-year-old Gloria Singleton, has been charged with child cruelty.

(Associated Press)

ATL bridge collapse: UPDATE

A soaring walkway being built to give visitors breathtaking views of the Atlanta Botanical Garden collapsed on Friday, sending workers plummeting dozens of feet to the forest below. One worker was killed Friday morning and at least 18 others were injured. Mike Alsip, a forensic investigator with the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office, identified the man killed as 66-year-old Angel Chupin of Marietta. Contractors were pouring concrete on the "canopy walk," which climbed as high as 40 feet, when it gave way. Witnesses described a frenzied scene as dozens of workers tumbled to the ground. Electrical worker Juan Padilla said he and another worker had just started a break after installing wires under the bridge when he heard a deafening boom. Atlanta Fire Battalion Chief Ken Byers said all the injured workers were on the bridge when it collapsed. Nearby Piedmont Park was filled with joggers and others visitors. Authorities have few details of what caused the collapse. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says four federal investigators are looking into it. Sixteen of those injured were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, which was teeming with family and friends of the victims anxiously awaiting updates.

(Associated Press)

Farm aid for 22 counties

Governor Sonny Perdue announced today United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Edward T. Schafer has declared 22 eligible Georgia counties disaster areas as a result of the damage sustained from Tropical Storm Fay. The designation was sent in response to Governor Perdue’s request submitted in September.

“Agriculture is Georgia’s largest industry and the backbone of our economy,” said Governor Perdue. “I’m pleased the federal government agrees we should do everything in our power to assist farmers in counties that have been hit hard by Tropical Storm Fay.”

Based on USDA Damage Assessment Reports, farmers in 22 counties experienced enough damage to peanuts, cotton and corn crops to qualify for the disaster declaration. Eligible farmers in designated counties that meet the criteria may apply for a USDA low interest loan at their county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. The 22 counties are listed below:

Baker, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Charlton, Clinch, Colquitt, Decatur, Early, Echols, Grady, Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Pierce, Randolph, Seminole, Thomas, Ware and White.

25 additional counties were named as contiguous disaster counties. They are listed below:

Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Calhoun, Camden, Clay, Coffee, Cook, Crisp, Dougherty, Glenn, Habersham, Hall, Irwin, Lumpkin, Quitman, Stewart, Sumter, Terrell, Tift, Towns, Union, Wayne, Webster, and Worth.

For more information, please visit www.fsa.usda.gov.

(Press Release from office of Governor Sonny Perdue)

Health care pros: Grady broke its promise

Health care advocates met in Atlanta today to address the widening health care disparities in minority populations. Of particular concern to some – how politics have shaped the allocation of medical services at one high profile hospital.

According to Dr. George Rust, the ratio of poor African Americans unable to access adequate and affordable health care has remained unchanged for nearly half a century. Rust directs the National Center for Primary Care at the Morehouse School of Medicine. All Morehouse medical students are required to do some clinical work at nearby Grady Memorial Hospital. But, Rust says Grady isn't delivering on its promise made in the 1890s. Namely, to serve the poor.

"We segregate health care for the poor and then we under fund it. We say we're going to create a separate system of care for the uninsured and then we're not going to adequately fund it. And what we're seeing is that when deliver care separately you get separate health outcomes and worse health outcomes."

Today it’s estimated that annually so-called segregated health care means 83,000 African Americans die at earlier ages of treatable and preventable diseases. Most experts agree lifestyle choices may be the root causes of treatable diseases like diabetes and obesity. But add, the lack of culturally sensitive medical personnel unfairly burdens some minority communities.

CEO: Grady can't afford so many poor

The hospital that serves as metro Atlanta’s safety net for the poor can’t afford it anymore, according to its new CEO. Michael Young says Grady Memorial Hospital must attract more paying patients. Currently, over 90 percent of Grady's patients are unable to pay for their treatment. Young recently took over Grady nearly a year after the hospital announced financial troubles that could force it to close.

Grady employee again charged with stealing

A former Grady Memorial Hospital employee already charged with stealing jewelry from patients is back in jail. Atlanta police said Tacuma Jawara is facing a third theft-related offense for allegedly stealing $1,100 in money orders from a patient at the same hospital. The incident occurred in November 2007. Police believe the money was spent at a spa. Jawara was arrested Tuesday and was being held at the Fulton County Jail pending a bond hearing. Records showed Jawara was fired in 2007 after police charged him with stealing wedding rings from patients. He awaits trial on those charges.

(Associated Press)

Perdue: state of emergency in 7 counties

Governor Sonny Perdue issued an Executive Order today declaring a State of Emergency for seven counties hit hardest by Tropical Storm Fay in seven counties throughout the southern region of the state. The emergency declaration covers Baker, Charlton, Grady, Miller, Thomas, Decatur and Seminole counties. The Order allows state resources to be used to assist local governments.

'Fay' leftovers could help north Georgia

North Georgia is expected to get a heavy dose of much-needed rain over the next few days in the wake of tropical storm Fay and its slow move across the southeastern U.S. Some forecasters say up to 10 inches of rain could fall in some areas of north Georgia through Wednesday. There is a flash flood watch that will go in effect later this afternoon for the region. Residents in south Georgia are dealing with the massive amounts of rainfall that began into the past weekend--some areas were said to have received up to 15 inches. There was one Georgia death tied to the storm--a Grady County boy died while playing near a drainage ditch as he was overcome by rushing waters.

Trauma care recommendations presented

Earlier this week, researchers at the Andrew Young School of Public Policy in Atlanta presented their recommendations to policy makers on how to reduce Georgia’s double-digit trauma mortality rate.

For an example of how vital a healthy trauma care network is to Georgia, think of the last year’s deadly bus crash. Six people died and dozens were injured when a bus carrying a college baseball team plunged from an Atlanta overpass to the freeway below. Experts say if the injured had not been rushed to Atlanta’s nearby Grady Memorial Hospital, the death toll would have been much higher.

Outside of the state’s metro areas saving the critically injured is often a numbers game. And who wins or loses depends primarily on how much time it takes emergency vehicles to get to and from an accident site. Among the recommendations from the school’s Georgia Health Policy Center … create a central assessment data base. Information would be used to consider among other things, a patient’s condition, as well distances. Patients would then be directed to the optimal trauma care facility within their region.

Right now, the state has 10 geographical emergency care regions. But regions can cover as few as 50 square miles or up to 27 counties. Experts estimate that by coordinating communication and transportation services, Georgia could cut its current statewide mortality rate from 20 percent to eight percent.

Georgia sports for Tuesday, July 29th

Atlanta Braves--

The news for the Braves keeps getting worse. The team opened a 7-game homestand last night with a pummeling at the hands of the St Louis Cardinals, 12-3. Braves' rookie starting pitcher Charlie Morton was rocked in the loss. Meanwhile, before the game, the Braves placed both 3rd baseman Chipper Jones and pitcher Tim Hudson on the disabled list. For Chipper, he is nursing a hamstring strain. Hudson has a right elbow problem, and it was revealed by general manager Frank Wren during the game that an MRI test on Hudson revealed some ligament damage. Hudson will be examined by specialists this week--it’s quite possible his season will be over. Already this year, the Braves have been besieged by injuries, namely to starting pitchers John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, and Mike Hampton. However, Hampton just returned over the weekend.

Atlanta Falcons/training camp--

The Falcons are through the first 3 days of camp at team headquarters in Flowery Branch. Off the field news: Defensive tackle Grady Jackson is back with the team on a 1-year contract. Jackson was released last season by former head coach Bobby Petrino. One of the Falcons' top free-agent signings is done for the season, before it has begun. Defensive back Von Hutchins will miss 2008 after undergoing foot surgery.

Grady names new CEO

Embattled Grady Memorial Hospital has a new Chief Executive Officer. Today Grady's board named Michael Young to the post. Grady is Atlanta's only public hospital and one of four hospitals in Georgia that can treat the most serious traumatic injuries. It has struggled financially for years and reached a crisis point due to rising health care costs, dwindling government aid, a lack of paying customers and years of neglect.

Trauma commission divides funding

The distribution of supplemental funding for the state’s trauma care system was finalized today. Still, a bigger challenge remains for Georgia.

The Trauma Care Network Commission has approved a plan to divide 58-million dollars of funding across the state. The biggest slice goes to financially-strapped Grady Hospital in Atlanta. However, the 12.7 million dollars is about half of what the Level-1 trauma facility had hoped for.

Commission members had the challenge of dividing money across many different trauma centers in the state and other areas of need.

Dennis Ashley is chair of the Commission and trauma chief for Macon’s Level-1 trauma center:

"We’ve certainly shown the need, and the silos where the money need to go as far as the uncompensated care, readiness costs, EMS...these are big silos that need to be treated, or taken care of. So we need to go forward".

Atlanta’s Grady received the lion's share of funding. Second-most is 5.6 million dollars to go to Savannah’s Memorial Health, with Augusta’s Medical College of Georgia to expect around 5-million.

Still in need is a permanent funding structure for trauma care in Georgia.

Grady Hospital takes official step to go non-profit

The transfer of Atlanta’s Grady Memorial Hospital from its old politically-appointed board to a new non-profit model was made official Monday with the signing of a lease and transfer agreement. The lease agreement is targeted to begin on May 1st. The meeting of the Grady board yesterday also brought a commitment of 200-million dollars from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation. The money will help pay for needed infrastructure costs for the financially-troubled Level-1 trauma hospital.

Legislative Day 38 ... from the Senate

TRANSPORTATION FUNDING
Dueling legislations have created one of this session’s most contention issues, as lawmakers try to find a middle ground on funding local transportation projects. On the House side, lawmakers suggest allowing local communities to come up with a list of priority projects for the DOT. From the Senate, the proposal calls for either a county or regional voter referendum so residents can decide if a t-splost is needed for a specific project. Republican Jeff Mullis chairs the Senate Transportation Committee. He says it appears House leaders brushed aside the Senate’s concerns. “We feel the House hasn’t taken us seriously at this moment, because they put their entire language back on to our offer. Well, they’ve got to move to middle before we can agree on anything.” If the two sides can come to an agreement, Georgians will vote this fall whether or not to amend the state’s Constitution for a one cent tax to vote to fund local transportation projects.

CONTROVERSARY OVER GRADY HOSPITAL
A bill that would have prohibited vendors or competitors from serving on Grady Hospital’s governing board passed in the senate on Tuesday. It does not apply to the current board of directors, but would to any future board members. The measure also strips away any oversight committee provision, for the financially trouble hospital. Democratic Senator Vincent Fort co-chairs the Grady Coalition. Fort accused other senate leaders of backing away from earlier commitments calling for an oversight committee. “Senator Shafer had made a commitment back in January when Grady was controlled by a predominantly African American board to create an oversight committee for Grady. Unfortunately, he’s backed away from that now that the board is dominated by wealthy, white businessman.” The measure also provoked heated discussion as a last minute floor amendment was added, prohibiting Grady from performing abortions on any paying patients.

LIMITED SUNDAY LIQUOR SALES
Lawmakers voted to boost local economic development by allowing some businesses sell alcohol on Sundays. One immediate beneficiary of the measure ... the proposed Triple-A Braves stadium in Gwinnett County set to open in summer 2009. Senator Renee Unterman represents part of the county. Her floor amendment – which the Senate adopted -- allows alcohol to be sold at the stadium on Sunday. However, Unterman stopped short of endorsing a repeal of the state’s blue laws. “My bill was in no connection to Sunday sales. Unfortunately, in the House, they connected the two. And, that was against my wishes. I said that mine was single issue and I wanted it to stay a single issue.” Under the bill, operators of approved regional economic assistance projects, or REAPS will be permitted to sell alcohol for consumption on site. Projects like golf courses and conference centers. The measure does not however circumvent the power of local governments to prohibit such sales.

WATER WARS, PART DUEX
Competition at the capitol on Tuesday over who should control local water resources in light of Georgia’s on-going drought. One bill proposed by the House would prohibit local governments from imposing tighter water restrictions than those called for by the state. The other --- a Senate bill -- would give local governments the power to impose or lessen additional restrictions over state regulations if a compelling reason exists. Republican John Bulloch chairs the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. He says water restrictions fail to take local differences into account. “In a lot of cases, EPD has had a one size fit all for a large area. We have a lot of counties and water authorities that have adequate water and that’s not being considered.” The bill also requires the state’s Department of Natural Resources adopt regulations relating to drought management, which must be updated every five years.

TAX MEASURE PING-PONGS
(from the Associated Press)
House Republican leaders say they've found a way to settle the debate between two dueling tax plans: Adopt them both. House Speaker Glenn Richardson unveiled new versions of the two competing plans today, saying the state could afford the 2 billion dollars that the combined cuts would slash from the state budget. Richardson's plan to eliminate the car tag tax and freeze property taxes remains largely unchanged, although the newrevisions allow only Georgia residents to enjoy the tax breaks. It also removes a tax break sought by Governor Perdue that would have eliminated the state portion of property taxes, worth about 30 dollars a household. But House leaders for the first time signed onto a separate tax break pushed by Senate leaders that reduces the state income tax over five years. Under the new version, the cuts would not start until 2011. And the tax break could not be enacted unless the bill to eliminate the car tag tax is adopted. The two cuts would cost the state 2 billion dollars when they are fully implemented in 2015. There was no immediate comment from Senate leaders and the governor, who is on a weeklong trade mission in China. But Perdue has said the cash-strapped state can't afford either one of the plans. He's pushing for more than 300 million dollars in budget cuts to keep Georgia afloat as state tax collections slow to a trickle. He's accused his fellow Republicans of playing politics with the state's fiscal health.

Grady's new non-profit board sets meeting

Members of Grady Memorial Hospital's proposed nonprofit governing board are planning to meet for the first time Monday. Grady recently switched to nonprofit governance in hopes of attracting hundreds of millions of dollars in financing to keep the hospital afloat. At the end of last year, the public hospital was facing a $55 million deficit and needs millions more in infrastructure improvements.