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04 LC 21 7750
House Resolution
1204
By: Representatives Royal of the 140th, O`Neal of the 117th, Channell of the 77th, Parrish of the 102nd, Shaw of the 143rd, and others
By: Representatives Royal of the 140th, O`Neal of the 117th, Channell of the 77th, Parrish of the 102nd, Shaw of the 143rd, and others
A RESOLUTION
Commending the Georgia Rural Health Association and
recognizing Rural Health Day; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS, the Georgia Rural Health Association (GRHA) is a nonprofit advocate for rural health care consumers and the dedicated health care professionals who serve rural Georgia and encourages the development of an improved health care system throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, Georgia has 118 rural counties with over 2 million residents, one-third of the state's population, but only one-half as many physicians as urban Georgia plus a continuing decline in the availability and quality of health care facilities and professional services; and
WHEREAS, these areas have the highest cancer and cardiovascular mortality rates and infant mortality, child abuse, and teen pregnancy rates and the growing uninsured population and elderly population with multiple diseases far exceed the area's health care resources; and
WHEREAS, the Georgia Rural Development Council recognizes that the limited availability and quality of rural health care facilities and services further aggravate the area's distressed economy and deter industry recruitment; and
WHEREAS, state and federal officials need to focus on the plight of rural communities and the need for better access to health care, workforce development and training, access to capital for aging health care facilities, and medical practice tort reform.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commend the efforts of the Georgia Rural Health Association and recognize February 10, 2004, as Rural Health Day.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to GRHA.
WHEREAS, the Georgia Rural Health Association (GRHA) is a nonprofit advocate for rural health care consumers and the dedicated health care professionals who serve rural Georgia and encourages the development of an improved health care system throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, Georgia has 118 rural counties with over 2 million residents, one-third of the state's population, but only one-half as many physicians as urban Georgia plus a continuing decline in the availability and quality of health care facilities and professional services; and
WHEREAS, these areas have the highest cancer and cardiovascular mortality rates and infant mortality, child abuse, and teen pregnancy rates and the growing uninsured population and elderly population with multiple diseases far exceed the area's health care resources; and
WHEREAS, the Georgia Rural Development Council recognizes that the limited availability and quality of rural health care facilities and services further aggravate the area's distressed economy and deter industry recruitment; and
WHEREAS, state and federal officials need to focus on the plight of rural communities and the need for better access to health care, workforce development and training, access to capital for aging health care facilities, and medical practice tort reform.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body commend the efforts of the Georgia Rural Health Association and recognize February 10, 2004, as Rural Health Day.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to GRHA.