Known as the “Peach State”, Georgia has a diverse and growing population, robust political landscape, and a slow growing health care environment. The distinct health care environments in rural Georgia and the urban metropolitan area are a unique challenge for the MCH Title V program.

 

Geographic Description
Georgia is on the southeastern Atlantic coast and its terrain spans coastal beaches, farmland, and mountains. The state is bordered on the south by Florida; on the east by the Atlantic Ocean and South Carolina; on the west by Alabama; and on the north by Tennessee and North Carolina. The main geographical features include mountains such as the Ridge-and-valley Appalachians in the northwest, the Blue Ridge Mountains in the northeast, the Piedmont plateau in the central portion of the state and Coastal Plain in the south. Georgia has fourteen barrier islands off its coast and include Saint Simons Island and Jekyll Island, both popular tourist destinations. Georgia is vulnerable to hurricanes, though the coast rarely experiences a direct hurricane strike due to its location and shorter coastline. With elevations ranging from sea level to more than 4,784 feet the ecology of Georgia is widely varied with a diverse geological base and many different soil types. Georgia is ranked 21st in the nation in terms of land size and is the largest state geographically east of the Mississippi River. Georgia has almost eight million acres of prime farmland while over 40 percent of the land is made up of pine forests. Both the agricultural areas and the waters of Georgia have created a thriving environment for hunting, fishing and game.

 

Urban and Rural Counties
Georgia has 500 cities in 159 counties with 13 congressional districts. Of Georgia’s 159 counties, there are both urban and rural counties located throughout the state. The Census Bureau defines two types of urban areas; urbanized areas of 50,000 people or more, and urban clusters between 2,500 people and 50,000 people. All other counties are considered rural. Of the 159 counties, 124 are designated as rural by the Georgia Rural Development Council. There are 20 smaller cities and urban areas with populations above 50,000. Most of the state’s rural counties are in the southern half of the state. 

 

According to the 2020 census data, there are 14 Metropolitan Statistical Areas in Georgia: Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Augusta (GA-SC), Savannah, Columbus (GA-AL), Macon, Athens, Gainesville, Warner Robins, Albany, Valdosta, Dalton, Brunswick, Rome, and Hinesville.1 The largely rural makeup of the state provides many challenges, and opportunities, to offering adequate health and social services to all Georgia residents. Due to the large number of counties being designated as rural, access to health care services is challenging, and as such it is essential for DPH to accommodate the needs of the rural population. DPH provides an alternative approach in meeting the needs of Georgia’s rural citizens through innovative strategies such as telehealth services in all 159 counties that increase access to health care providers and services.

 

The following map generated by the US Census Bureau based on population data for 2020 depicts the population density in Georgia.

 

Figure 1: Population Density by Census Tract in Georgia, 2018

 

Population
Georgia’s population reached 10.7 million, gaining a million new residents from 2010 to 2020, up 10.6 percent, making Georgia the eighth most populous state in the nation.7 Georgia is one of 12 states that saw more than a ten percent growth in the past decade.2 This growth has resulted in a fundamental shift in Georgia’s population changing the state from a largely rural area with urban centers to an urban state with rural areas. Rural Georgians have health experiences that contrast their urban counterparts including, travelling longer distances to seek medical care and higher rates of chronic health conditions. It is estimated that Georgia’s population will increase to 14.7 million by 2030.10 As with any population growth, there are increasing demands on state and local governments to provide necessary services, including health and social services.

 

Georgia is growing more urban and diverse with 2020 Census figures showing a continued shift in population toward metro Atlanta and away from the rural areas that were once the backbone of the state. The state’s fastest-growing areas remain in the suburbs of Atlanta, Savannah, and Augusta. Bryan County, just south of Savannah, grew by 48 percent over the decade, making it the sixth-fastest-growing county in the nation. Forsyth County, located north of Atlanta is the 13th-fastest-growing county nationally due to its 43 percent growth.2 Sixty-seven of Georgia’s 159 counties, most of them smaller and rural, lost population, as part of a nationwide trend.3

 

Atlanta, the state capitol, is the economic, cultural, and demographic center of Georgia. Located in DeKalb and Fulton counties, Atlanta has a population 524,067. It is the largest city in Georgia and the 37th largest city in the U.S according to 2020 Census data. Atlanta is currently growing at a rate of 1.67 percent annually and its population has increased by 24.78 percent since the 2010 census.  Spanning over 137 miles, Atlanta has a population density of 3,861 people per square mile.4

 

The Atlanta metropolitan area includes 29 counties and is home to 5.6 million people, making it the ninth largest metropolitan area in the U.S. Metro-Atlanta contains about 57 percent of Georgia's entire population.5 In Georgia, approximately six percent of residents are under age five, 23.6 percent are under the age of 18 and 14.3 percent are over age 65. Atlanta has the ninth largest number of LGBTQ adults in a large metropolitan statistical area.  

 

Diversity

Georgia grew substantially more diverse over the last ten years as its Black, Hispanic and Asian populations increased and its number of White residents slightly decreased. Statewide, the number of Black Georgians increased by 13 percent, while the White population dropped by one percent. The state’s Asian population increased by 53 percent and its Hispanic population increased by 32 percent. The state's population is 51.9 percent White, 31 percent Black, 10.5 percent Hispanic or Latino, and 4.5 percent Asian. Close to seven percent of the population identify as two or more races.2 The growth in diversity and population necessitates the availability of culturally competent health care, education, and human services.

 

Age and Gender
According to the 2020 US Census Bureau, Georgia’s population is younger compared to the nation, as the state with the eighth largest percent of population under 18 years old (23.6 percent). The median age in Georgia is 36.2 years, with a gender difference of 51.3 percent females and 48.7 percent males across the state. There are 51 percent female persons of reproductive ages (15-44 years old). In 2020, there were 122,379 births in Georgia.4

 

Immigration
Georgia’s population is continually evolving with the immigration of foreign-born individuals that add to the racially and ethnically diverse population of Georgia. In 2018, approximately 1.1 million immigrants (foreign-born individuals) comprised 10 percent of the population. Georgia was home to 502,347 women, 493,737 men, and 67,989 children who were immigrants. The top countries of origin for immigrants were Mexico (22 percent), India (nine percent), Jamaica (four percent), Korea (four percent), and Guatemala (four percent). Seven percent of Georgia residents are native-born U.S. citizens with at least one immigrant parent.11 Over the years, there has been an increase in naturalized citizens from 33.8 percent in 2010 to 46.0 percent in 2019.

 

Immigrants in Georgia are concentrated at either end of the educational spectrum. More than a third (35 percent) of adult immigrants had a college degree or more education in 2018, while one-quarter (25 percent) had less than a high school diploma. In 2019, 24.7 percent of foreign-born residents, ages 25 and older, had less than a high school diploma, 20.5 percent had a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) high school equivalency diploma and 18.4 percent attained some college or their associate degree.

 

In 2020, 33.6 percent of foreign-born residents fell below 200 percent of the poverty level and 28.8 percent had no health insurance coverage. Immigrants who are “qualified non-citizens” are generally eligible for coverage through Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Non-qualified adult immigrants or undocumented adult immigrants may be eligible for emergency medical services only that includes the cost of labor and delivery. Emergency medical assistance is not an ongoing coverage plan and applicants must apply for this service as a medical hardship is incurred.

 

Language Proficiency
According to the 2020 US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, over 14 percent of Georgia residents, ages five years and older, speak a language other than English. Of the other languages spoken, Spanish is the most spoken language at approximately 8.1 percent. Other Indo-European languages accounts for approximately 2.7 percent, Asian and Pacific Island languages accounts for approximately 2.5 percent, and the remaining one percent of residents speaks another language. Of those that speak a language other than English, 37.7 percent speak English less than very well.11 These factors can have implications on the services offered to residents and may necessitate investment in interpretation and culturally competent approaches to health care delivery.

 

Family Household Type

Children growing up in single-parent families typically do not have the same economic or human resources available as those growing up in two-parent families. Compared with children in married-couple families, children raised in single-parent households are more likely to drop out of school, to have or cause a teen pregnancy, and to experience a divorce in adulthood. In 2019, according to the 2021 Kids Count Data, 38 percent of Georgia’s children lived in single-parent families. Children living in high-poverty areas decreased from 14 percent in 2014 to nine percent in 2019. In 2019, the average household size was 2.6 and the average family size was 3.2.13

 

Educational Attainment
Public schools are the primary source of education in Georgia. In 2020, 30 percent of three- and four-year-old children were enrolled in a public pre-kindergarten program.69 According to the 2021 Kids Count Data, fourth graders not proficient in reading improved from 71 percent in 2009 to 68 percent in 2019. Eighth graders not proficient in math improved from 73 percent in 2009 to 69 percent in 2019 and high school students not graduating on time reduced to 18 percent in 2019 from 33 percent in 2011.11

 

Georgia's high school graduation rate continues to rise and has increased by 14.1 percent since 2012. In 2020, Georgia's high school graduation rate rose to 83.8 percent, an all-time high since the state began using the adjusted cohort calculation now required by federal law. A portion of the increase in graduation rate can be attributed to a waiver the Georgia Department of Education received from the U.S. Department of Education in 2019 for students with significant cognitive disabilities. This waiver allows for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities to be counted in the four-year graduation rate the year they graduate, even if they began high school more than four years ago.11

 

The University System of Georgia awarded an all-time high of 72,929 degrees in fiscal year 2021 which was a three percent annual increase over fiscal year 2020 represented 2,050 more degrees awarded than the previous year and sets another record for the most degrees awarded in the system’s 90-year history. The state has approximately 70 public institutions and specialized schools, and over 45 private universities for higher education which include 10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The flagship research institution, University of Georgia, is the oldest public school in the country. In 2018, USG received permission from accreditors to create the first-of-its-kind Nexus degree, a targeted degree of 18 hours for students at any stage of their career if they have passed core courses. The Nexus degree allows institutions to work with industry and focus on high demand careers including cybersecurity, financial technology, and film production, which are all areas that play an important role in Georgia’s economy.

 

In Georgia, 31 percent of adults aged 25 and over have a bachelor’s degree or above. Thirty-nine percent have an associate degree or above. Attainment rates are highest in metro Atlanta counties, where about 50 percent of adults have bachelor’s degrees. The rate of college degrees is lowest in rural areas. In about half of Georgia’s counties, fewer than one in five adults have a college degree. Racial and ethnic differences exist in postsecondary educational attainment with approximately two in 10 Latino Georgians and one in four African American/Blacks have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Almost six in 10 Asian Americans have a bachelor’s degree or above, the highest rate of attainment of any racial or ethnic group.15

 

Household Income

According to the 2020 American Community Survey of the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income for Georgia was $58,950 in 2020, the latest figures available. Compared to the median U.S. household income of $67,521, Georgia’s median household income is $4,143 lower. This is a slight increase from the previous year, when the median household income in the state was $58,368.8

 

Poverty

According to the 2020 American Community Survey of the U.S. Census Bureau, Georgia has the 14th highest poverty rate in the U.S. with 13.3 percent of Georgians living below the federal poverty line, compared with 12.3 percent for the United States overall. Over eight percent were below 50 percent of the federal poverty level and 22.9 percent were living at less than 125 percent of the federal poverty level. According to the 2021 Kids Count Data, 19.4 percent of children in Georgia under the age of 18 lived in poverty in 2019, which is an improvement from 25 percent in 2010. Poverty disproportionately affects race and ethnicity in Georgia. The poverty of Georgians living below the FPL based on race and ethnicity in 2019 was 10 percent White, 18.8 percent African American or Black, 24.5 percent American Indian and Alaska Native, 10 percent Asian and Pacific Islander, and 19.1 percent Hispanic or Latino.11

 

Health Equity and Social Determinates of Health (SDOH) Disparities

According to the 2021 Kids Count Data Book, Georgia ranked 38th in overall child well-being in 2019. The ranking is based on the state’s wealth and other resources, policy choices and investments in the state in which the child is born and raised. Georgia ranked 36th in economic well-being with 19 percent of children living in poverty, 40th in health, 39th in family and community with 38 percent of children living in single-parent families, and 37th in education with 68 percent of fourth graders not proficient in reading and 69 percent of fourth graders not proficient in math. The annual Kids Count Data Book uses 16 indicators to rank each state across four domains that include health, education, economic well-being, and family and community that represent what children need the most to thrive. Though Georgia’s children and families still face many challenges, there are some promising trends for the state. When looking at outcomes such as maternal mortality, infant mortality, low birth weight, and preterm birth we see consistent trends based on race and ethnicity. Georgia’s maternal mortality rate illustrates that Black, non-Hispanic women are 2.3 times more likely to die of pregnancy-related causes than White, non-Hispanic women. In maternal deaths that occurred 2015 to 2017, 25.1 percent of maternal deaths were pregnancy-related (per 100,000 live births) and 68.9 percent of maternal deaths were pregnancy-associated, but not related (per 100,000 live births). In 2020, racial disparities were also seen in infant mortality rates with a rate of 9.6 in Black, non-Hispanic or Latino infant deaths compared to a rate of 5.1 in White, non-Hispanic or Latino infant deaths under one year of age. The percent for Black, non-Hispanic or Latino low birth weight infants was 14.5 percent compared to 7.2 percent for low-birth-weight White, non-Hispanic or Latino infants. Premature births in 2020 occurred at 14.4 percent in Black, non-Hispanic women compared to 10 percent in White, non-Hispanic women.23

 

Economy

A vital component to Georgia’s economy is the transportation system, which includes a robust rail and highway infrastructure, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and the deep-water ports of Savannah and Brunswick. Eighty percent of the U.S. market is less than two days away by land or within a two-hour flight.

 

Georgia is served by two Class I railroads, CSX and Norfolk Southern, along with 24 short line companies. These rail providers offer 5,000 miles of track, making it the most extensive rail system and largest intermodal hub in the Southeast. The railroads work conjointly with the seaports to annually move nearly 200 million tons of cargo.22

 

Six U.S. interstates, with over 1,200 miles of highway, connects Georgia to neighboring states and the rest of the nation and help move workers from their homes to places of employment in the major cities. Three of the interstate highways converge in Atlanta, making it, along with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the transportation hub of the southeast. Atlanta is one of only five cities in the nation to be served by three separate interstate highways. The construction of these interstate highways was instrumental in the booming growth of Atlanta in the latter part of the 20th century. The highways helped attract business, industry, and more transportation facilities to the Atlanta area. These advantages have led more than 450 Fortune 500 companies to have a presence in the state. As of 2020, there are 18 Fortune 500 companies and 30 Fortune 1000 companies with global headquarters in Atlanta.22

 

Two of the interstate highways (I-85 and I-285) are near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Hartfield-Jackson is one of the busiest airports in the nation. Business travelers and those visiting Georgia add enormous impact to Georgia’s economy. There are approximately 2,700 daily flights arriving and departing from Hartsfield-Jackson, moving 100 million passengers annually. Hartfield-Jackson contains three cargo complexes, with more than 2 million square feet of warehousing, and hosts the only USDA-approved On-terminal Perishables Complex in the Southeast- allowing for rapid movement of agricultural products. In addition, Hartsfield-Jackson is home to the Georgia Foreign Trade Zone, where Georgia companies can produce products at reduced cost, facilitating trade and increasing the overall competitiveness of companies doing business in Georgia. According to the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) 2020 Statewide Airport Economic Impact Study, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International contributes $66.7 billion in annual economic benefits, which accounts for 90 percent of all economic activity among the state’s 103 public airports. Hartsfield-Jackson supports 383,242 jobs with a total annual payroll estimated at $16.7 billion.

 

The deep-water seaports of Savannah and Brunswick are integral to Georgia’s economy as they allow products to be sent via ship to all parts of the world, while allowing foreign products to come into Georgia. The port of Savannah, home to the largest single container terminal, is the fastest-growing and third-busiest container port in the U.S. The port of Brunswick is considered the number one terminal in the nation for new automobile imports.20

 

The film and television industry are other industries elevating Georgia’s economy. Georgia offers lucrative tax incentives for television and movies making the state a popular site for filming and production, stimulating further growth. The industry was boosted substantially by tax incentives introduced in 2002 and strengthened in 2008 when the state passed a tax credit that allowed productions to collect a credit of up to 30 percent of its budget, enabling studios to save money or increase their budgets. The state’s generally lower prices compared with California or New York and the geographic diversity with cities such as Atlanta and many rural locations offer a variety of settings. In 2021, Georgia’s film production exceeded its pre-pandemic pace, setting a record of $4.1 billion in direct spend in production in the state. This growth is likely due to Georgia’s return to filming earlier than other markets as well as being the first state to provide safety guidance for projects ready to return to work, called Covid-19 practices for film and television.24   Georgia has 2.1 million square feet in purpose-built space and 3.2 million square feet in retrofitted stage/warehouse space which is expected to grow by another one million square feet in 2022 to accommodate film production in the state.  

 

Georgia has a rich, varied, and ongoing tradition of producing quality sports teams that enhance the economy. Atlanta is home to several professional sports franchises, including the Braves (Major League Baseball), Hawks (National Basketball Association), Falcons (National Football League), Dream (Women’s National Basketball Association), and Atlanta United (Major League Soccer). In 2020, an additional professional sports league (Major League Rugby) was established in Georgia with the Rugby ATL. Atlanta was home to NFL Superbowl LIII with more than 500,000 attending and more than 150,000 out-of-state visitors. In addition to Atlanta’s major league sports teams, minor league franchises are hosted by several Georgia cities. Augusta, Georgia is home to the Masters, professional golf’s most famous and prestigious event. Atlanta Motor Speedway hosts NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series Race each Labor Day weekend. Sports provide an economic boost for the city and remain a key revenue-generator within the tourism industry.17

 

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted several industries in Georgia. Not including agriculture, over 531,000 jobs were initially lost. The hospitality industry experienced the greatest impact, initially losing over 223,000 jobs. Hospitality workers are disproportionately represented by people of color and typically perform “essential jobs” which include frontline, close-contact tasks. Economic development has improved with more than 35,400 new jobs secured between July 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, a six percent increase in new jobs over the total for the entire prior year.18

 

Homelessness

According to the Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress (AHAR), a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) report that provides estimates of homelessness, the total homelessness number in Georgia for 2020 was 10,234. Of which approximately 59.4 percent (or 6,078 people) were sheltered in emergency shelters, transitional housing programs or safe havens. Almost 25 percent are people experiencing homelessness as a part of a household that has one adult and one child (people in family with children). Nearly five percent are unaccompanied homeless youths under the age of 18. Of the homeless population, approximately seven percent are veterans and 12 percent are considered chronically homeless individuals.16

 

Insurance Status
In 2020, 14.5 percent of the total population were uninsured with the largest part of the population insured through employers. According to the 2021 Kids Count Data Book, seven percent of Georgia’s children, ages zero to 18, were uninsured, making it the 9th highest rate of uninsured children in the U.S in 2019. The most recent data available show that among Georgians between ages 19 to 64,19 percent are uninsured, ranking it the fourth highest in the nation of uninsured adults. Those that identify as White and Black have the highest percentage of being uninsured at 39 percent and 31 percent, respectively. Twenty-four percent of Hispanics are uninsured.20 This disparity contributes to the delay in seeking health care, increased visits to the emergency room and poor health outcomes.19

 

Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® provide access to affordable vital health services to nearly two million Georgians, including children, pregnant women, low-income seniors, and those with physical and developmental disabilities. Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids® covers 1.3 million Georgia children, which is nearly half of all children in Georgia. Private care management organizations (CMOs) operate in the state for families who do not meet Medicaid eligibility and allow families to select a health care plan at no cost to families for children under age six. Starting at age six, premiums are determined based on the federal poverty level and household size. CMOs operating in Georgia include Amerigroup Community Care, CareSource and Peach State Health Plan.

 

Health Reform
The Affordable Care Act, signed in 2010, went into effect in 2014. Georgia does not participate in Medicaid expansion. More than 460,000 people enrolled in plans for 2020 during open enrollment, a drop of more than 20,000 from 2018. Four insurers offer coverage in 2020 through Healthcare.gov. Average rate increases for plans in Georgia’s individual market are less than four percent for 2020.19 DPH will continue to adapt to the changing health care landscape to promote the health of women and children.

 

Department of Public Health Priorities

DPH is the lead agency in preventing disease, injury and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing for and responding to disasters from a health perspective. In 2011, the General Assembly restored DPH to its own state agency after more than 30 years of consolidation with other departments. At the state level, DPH functions through numerous divisions, sections, programs, and offices. Locally, DPH funds and collaborates with Georgia's 159 county health departments and 18 public health districts. Through the changes, the mission has remained constant- to protect the lives of all Georgians. Today, DPH’s main functions include Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Maternal and Child Health, Infectious Disease and Immunization, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Emergency Medical Services, Pharmacy, Nursing, Volunteer Health Care, the Office of Health Equity, Vital Records, and the State Public Health Laboratory.

 

In 2019, DPH achieved national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board. The national accreditation program works to improve and protect the health of the public by advancing and transforming the quality and performance of health departments. Under the leadership of DPH Commissioner Dr. Kathleen Toomey, DPH continues its mission to prevent disease, injury and disability, promote health and well-being, and prepare for and respond to disasters.

 

DPH’s workforce is guided by the following core values in carrying out public health work:

 

People– We value our employees as professional colleagues. We treat our customers, clients, partners, and those we serve with respect by listening, understanding, and responding to needs.

 

Excellence– Commitment, accountability, and transparency for optimal efficient, effective, and responsive performance.

 

Partnership– Internal and external teamwork to solve problems, make decisions, and achieve common goals.

 

Innovation– New approaches and progressive solutions to problems. Embracing change and accepting reasonable risk.

 

Science– The application of the best available research, data, and analysis leading to improved outcomes.

 

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, DPH employees have remained committed to carrying out the public health work required to meet the mission of advancing Georgia’s people, excellence, partnerships, innovation, and science. Below are a few recent highlights of the outstanding work DPH teams across the state continue to do to prevent disease, injury and disability; promote health and well-being; and prepare for and respond to disasters.

 

Georgia’s State of Emergency for Continued COVID-19 Economic Recovery Executive Order was issued on June 30, 2021, due to the ongoing negative impacts of COVID-19 on Georgia’s economy, supply chain, and healthcare infrastructure. The State of Emergency for Continued COVID-19 Economic Recovery was terminated on April 15, 2022.

 

DPH’s Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) provides Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) information and guidance about COVID-19 to all health care and hospital facilities throughout Georgia and holds bi-weekly calls with the entire public health and hospital/health care community to update information and answer questions. DPH serves as the clearinghouse for coordination between state agencies, health care providers and medical facilities and has created communication strategies for presenting CDC messages such as billboards, public service announcements, flyers, and videos. DPH provides infrastructural and leadership support to improve the health of mothers, children, and families and continues to implement evidence-based approaches to address COVID-19. MCH programs share COVID-19 messaging with district staff, partners, and families and have adapted policies, procedures, and ensured continuity of care for home visiting programs, early intervention, child health services, and CYSHCN services. MCH programs have developed innovative strategies utilizing telehealth that have enabled continuity of care in providing home visiting and early intervention services. Expanding telehealth services to traditional in person service delivery programs have allowed for an opportunity to ensure that families receive vital support while following COVID-19 prevention guidelines.

 

DPH epidemiologists are on-call to help health care providers evaluate individuals presenting with symptoms of COVID-19 to ensure that possible cases are managed safely, support laboratory testing, and implement recommendations from the CDC. DPH epidemiologists monitor outbreaks and recommend control strategies, including guidance regarding testing and isolation. The Georgia COVID-19 Dashboard illustrates daily status of cases and hospitalizations with interactive charts and graphs, including the most current information around COVID-19 testing, vaccine distribution, vaccine locations, and procedures and protocols to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Currently, the COVID-19 vaccine is available to all Georgians 12 years of age or older and testing is available to all who request it, whether they have symptoms or not. Georgia continues to utilize the best scientific information and data from the CDC and work with state partners and health care communities to incorporate the most up to date guidance in planning and mitigation efforts.

 

DPH’s robust telehealth services continued to grow in response to COVID-19 and the need to ensure continuity of care. During the 2020 legislative session, the Georgia General Assembly passed House Bill 307 which changed provisions of the Georgia Telehealth Act, such as allowing health care providers and patients to participate in telehealth services from home. It also prevented insurers from placing additional requirements for telehealth, such as requiring in-person consultation before receiving telehealth service and banned a separate deductible for telehealth services. These changes further removed the barriers to receiving telehealth in Georgia.