Georgia Watch

Georgia Watch Executive Director Liz Coyle spoke with Carrie Teegardin of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution about gaps in information available to patients on the Georgia Composite Medical Board's website.

Georgia's Patient Right to Know Act was designed to help consumers research healthcare providers by making information about malpractice coverage, malpractice payouts, disciplinary actions, board certifications, and other important qualifications publicly available. However, the AJC found that much of this information is missing, inaccurate, or difficult to access.

"On its website, the board itself urges Georgians to be responsible when selecting a medical provider by reviewing information it provides, said Coyle. Obviously, that’s critically important, and yet, from your own reporting, consumers who go to the medical board to try to do their homework to make an informed decision, are encountering insufficient information and, in some cases, false information."

Read the full article here: https://georgiawatch.org/why-you-will-have-problems-checking-out-your-georgia-doctor/

Georgia Watch is at the Consumer Federation of America’s Consumer Assembly, joining advocates from across the country to discuss emerging consumer protection challenges and solutions.

Today’s sessions highlighted:

🔹 The growing impact of scams, deceptive practices, and other tactics that increase costs and erode consumer trust.
🔹 Surveillance and algorithmic pricing practices that can result in consumers paying different prices for the same products and services.
🔹 Predatory fintech products targeting young consumers and the need for stronger safeguards.
🔹 Persistent disparities in home insurance pricing that create additional barriers to affordable homeownership and wealth-building.
🔹 Innovative housing models that expand access to affordable homeownership while protecting consumers from predatory practices.

We look forward day 2 of the assembly and bringing these insights back to Georgia as we continue our work to protect and empower consumers.

Our last stop for was at the office of Congresswoman Nikema Williams. Rep. Williams is a long time supporter of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. We appreciate her continued efforts to and protect Georgia consumers.

The Georgia delegation is continuing to make our rounds for ! We had a great chat with the team at the office of Senator Jon Ossoff uplifting key consumer protection issues impacting Georgians. Thank you Senator Ossoff for your support of Georgia consumers! On to the next stop!

Our second stop for was the office of Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock. We had a great discussion with the Senator’s Economic Policy Advisor Adam Finkel about protecting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, strengthening interest rate limits and transparency, and opposing actions to exempt payday loan apps from federal and state fee and interest rate caps.

Thanks to Senator Warnock for standing up for Georgia consumers!

has kicked off! Georgia Watch is excited to be joined by Georgia constituents as we meet with Congressional leadership to discuss key consumer financial protection issues. Our first stop is with the office of Rep. Lucy McBath. Thank you Rep. McBath for standing with Georgia consumers!

On Thursday, May 28, the Georgia Public Service Commission will vote on a proposed stipulated agreement resolving Georgia Power’s Storm Damage Recovery and Fuel Cost Recovery dockets — a decision that could impact electricity bills for consumers across Georgia.

In comments submitted to the Commission, Georgia Watch urged regulators to prioritize affordability and reduce the financial burden placed on residential customers, who have already experienced multiple rate increases in recent years.

“At a time of rising costs, stagnant wages, and deepening financial insecurity, the Commission should exercise its authority to modify the Stipulated Agreement and approve an order that more fairly balances the needs of ratepayers with the interests of Georgia Power’s shareholders.”

Watch Executive Director Liz Coyle's cross of the Commission Staff panel here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MfTjS5McDe9MHUYdeRBieQqimVV8qU_l/view?usp=sharing

Access to affordable healthcare remains one of the most pressing issues facing Georgians today. In our latest blog, Georgia Watch explores the growing affordability and access challenges impacting families across the state, including:

• Rising healthcare costs and coverage instability
• Underwhelming enrollment in Georgia Pathways
• Provider shortages and hospital closures
• The growing role of Community Health Workers

The blog also highlights where Georgia has made progress and the policy solutions still needed to strengthen healthcare access, address medical debt, and support community-based solutions.

Read the full blog here: https://georgiawatch.org/the-state-of-healthcare-access-in-georgia-whats-working-and-what-still-needs-to-change/

A new edition of The Watcher is out!

This month’s newsletter features Deputy Director Natasha Taylor discussing healthcare affordability and access challenges with 11Alive, highlights from our latest healthcare access blog, and spotlights Board Members Johnny Smith and Dr. Maura George Simpson and their work to strengthen behavioral and maternal healthcare access across Georgia.

We’re also excited to welcome our summer interns to the Georgia Watch team!

Check out our website to read the full newsletter and subscribe today: https://georgiawatch.org/news-press/newsletters/

In advance of Georgia's primary elections, 11Alive's Joe Ripley shared the story of a rural Georgia resident frustrated by her difficulty finding and getting the care she needed when facing a cancer diagnosis.

Georgia Watch Deputy Director Natasha Taylor recently spoke with Ripley about the growing healthcare access and affordability challenges facing communities across Georgia, particularly in rural areas impacted by provider shortages, hospital closures, transportation barriers, and rising healthcare costs.

"There's already an issue in rural Georgia with provider shortages, hospital closures, transportation, getting to care," Taylor shared. "Now you're talking about not affording care as is. That's going to limit people going to the doctor and getting their prescriptions, which is, in turn, going to make people sicker and force people into those ER situations. That creates more of a burden on the limited hospitals you have."

"People are employed, but they have to make a choice between paying their rent and paying to put food on the table or paying for health coverage," she added. "Across parties, I think the biggest issue for people is, ' Am I going to pay my mortgage or am I going to pay for my health insurance?'"

The story also highlights the importance of strengthening Georgia’s healthcare workforce, including Community Health Workers, who help bridge gaps between patients and providers and improve access to care in underserved communities.

Read more: https://georgiawatch.org/healthcare-access-affordability-high-on-many-voters-priority-lists/

Healthcare access, affordability high on many voters' priority lists Watch Here By Joe Ripley with 11AliveJulianna Ferrone will never forget the day in July 2020 when she felt the bloating, back pain, and abnormal bleeding. It changed her life forever."I was 27 years old when I got