Four states, four strategies: Lessons for Georgia’s public health review

State representatives have this year taken a look at how Georgia’s public health system works and what changes might be needed. A resulting report found that there is a “wide variance” in the public health services offered across the state, with many rural health departments offering fewer services than urban ones, and public health departments facing workforce shortages.

Legislators are trying to address the workforce shortage by allowing county workers to retain their accrued leave time if they go to work for the state.

That’s just a first step, said Rep. Darlene Taylor, a Republican from Thomasville who chaired the legislative study committee and also chairs the health appropriations subcommittee in the House of Representatives.