Governor Brian Kemp, joined by other state officials, convened a roundtable with Georgia’s healthcare leaders today to discuss civil litigation policies affecting the state’s healthcare sector. Held at Atrium Health’s Macon campus, the event marked the second in a series of three roundtable discussions aimed at gathering input from stakeholders before the next legislative session. Participants in the meeting included representatives from the Georgia Hospital Association, Georgia Medical Association, Georgia Health Care Association, and private healthcare providers.
The Details: Governor Kemp emphasized that improving healthcare access and affordability has been a cornerstone of his administration. “We are committed to hearing from healthcare practitioners on how the civil litigation climate in our state is impacting their ability to best care for Georgians,” said Kemp. His administration is looking into reform options based on feedback from these industry experts.
This roundtable follows the first session, held in August, which focused on small business leaders’ concerns about the impact of excessive civil lawsuits. According to Kemp, these discussions are part of a broader, multi-phase effort to address litigation reform. Last year’s legislative session saw the introduction of the Data Analysis for Tort Reform Act, aimed at collecting information to guide future decisions on the issue.
By The Numbers: During the 2024 legislative session, multiple bills concerning civil litigation were introduced, including SB 426 and SB 83. Both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly have made addressing the costs of civil litigation a priority. Governor Kemp acknowledged that ballooning litigation expenses are straining healthcare providers and reducing access to care for patients across the state.
In Context: The roundtable discussion was centered around the impact of Georgia’s healthcare liability laws, which are seen by some as a drain on resources meant for patient care. “Georgia’s current healthcare liability laws are pulling vital resources away from our core mission – caring for patients and supporting our communities,” said Caylee Noggle, President and CEO of the Georgia Hospital Association. Noggle emphasized that while accountability is crucial, many liability laws are restricting access to care and threatening the survival of healthcare facilities statewide.
Dr. Brett Cannon from the Medical Association of Georgia echoed similar concerns. He noted that the state’s legal climate is driving up healthcare costs and making it harder to attract and retain medical professionals. Both Cannon and Noggle expressed a desire for reforms that would lower costs while ensuring that patients still have access to quality care.
Why It Matters: Healthcare leaders agree that reforms to the civil litigation system are needed to help keep medical costs down for Georgians and ensure that resources are focused on patient care. Rising legal costs, driven by lawsuits, are making it more difficult for healthcare providers to maintain operations, particularly in rural areas. The roundtable discussions are seen as a key step in developing legislative proposals to address these concerns.
What’s Next?: Governor Kemp plans to continue his series of roundtable discussions, with the final session expected later this year. The input gathered will shape the policy decisions made in the upcoming legislative session.
