Andy Miller | 90.1 FM WABE

Andy Miller

Georgia consumers say that when they signed up late last year for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield coverage, WellStar Health System was listed as part of the insurer’s network. In February, though, the contract between Anthem and WellStar for the Pathways health plan ended.

Georgia Seeks New Enrollment For Patients Caught In WellStar, Anthem Contract Rift

Andy Miller, Georgia Health News • Mar 19, 2019

Since January 2018, 170 acute hepatitis A infections, including one death, have been identified in Georgia. That’s more than six times the number of infections reported in 2017.

Hepatitis A Infections Surging In Georgia

Andy Miller, Georgia Health News • Mar 15, 2019

The commission would be authorized to take ‘’a very deep dive’’ into the state’s mental health system, said state Rep. Kevin Tanner, R-Dawsonville, lead sponsor of House Bill 514. The 23-member panel would include “unbiased’’ experts in the mental health and substance abuse fields, he said.

Georgia Senate Panel OKs Behavioral Health Commission

Andy Miller, Georgia Health News • Mar 14, 2019

The Georgia House has passed a bill to set up a pilot program for distribution of a pill known as PrEP to people at high risk of HIV. The pill can lower their chances of getting the virus if taken daily. Georgia lawmakers are proposing this and other bills to help fight the disease in the state.

Proposals To Fight HIV Move Forward In Georgia General Assembly

Andy Miller, Georgia Health News • Mar 12, 2019

Leading hospital groups have fought hard against a broad certificate-of-need revamp, saying it would hurt existing hospitals, including those in rural Georgia. Proponents say it would spark competition, increase access to services and reduce health care costs.

Certificate-Of-Need Revamp Fails In Ga. House, But Sponsor Vows To Continue Fight

Andy Miller, Georgia Health News • Mar 8, 2019

One-Quarter Of Georgia Hospitals Penalized Over Patient Safety Problems

Andy Miller, Georgia Health News • Mar 6, 2019

For tenants, environmental hazards in their homes can lead to emergency room visits, missed days from school and, eventually, homelessness, said Pam Kraidler of the Health Law Partnership. Under Georgia House Bill 346, if a tenant were to complain about unsafe living conditions, and suffer a rental increase or eviction as a consequence, a retaliatory eviction could be halted, and the landlord could face civil penalties.

Ga. Bill Would Protect Tenants Facing Unhealthy Living Conditions

Andy Miller, Georgia Health News • Mar 5, 2019

State Rep. Mickey Channell of Greensboro, shown speaking from the well of the Georgia House in 2007, died last week at age 76. Channell, who represented his district from 1993 to 2015, persuaded his fellow House members to get behind a ‘’PeachCare for Kids’’ program that eventually passed the Georgia Legislature. It has covered roughly 120,000 to 200,000 Georgia children annually.

‘Father Of PeachCare’: Ga. Rep. Channell Remembered For Work On Health Care Issues

Andy Miller, Georgia Health News • Mar 4, 2019

Leading hospital groups oppose a broad certificate-of-need (CON) system revamp, saying it would harm existing hospitals, including those in rural Georgia. Proponents say it would boost competition and reduce health care costs. Georgia lawmakers are considering the broadest revamp of the controversial regulatory program in years.

Ga. Legislative Effort To Overhaul CON System Stalled In Senate

Andy Miller, Georgia Health News • Mar 1, 2019

At the Georgia Capitol, a 10-4 vote on certificate-of-need legislation by the special House committee on health care access means the measure now moves to the House Rules Committee. The controversial CON laws, which some seek to overturn, govern the construction and expansion of health care facilities and services.

Ga. House Panel Endorses CON Overhaul; Senators Mull Compromise

Andy Miller, Georgia Health News • Feb 26, 2019

Surprise bills occur when consumers have procedures or visit ERs at hospitals in their insurance network, then get separate bills from non-network doctors involved in their care. These unexpected charges can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Stalemate Or Solution? Ga. Legislative Fight Over Surprise Billing Renewed

Andy Miller, Georgia Health News • Feb 22, 2019

Matt Hicks of Atlanta’s Grady Memorial Hospital, which serves a large number of Medicaid patients, told lawmakers that Grady receives a $13 million benefit from the hospital payment program annually.

Extension Of Hospital Provider Fee Advancing Swiftly Through Ga. House

Andy Miller, Georgia Health News • Feb 21, 2019