08 LC 25
5109
House
Resolution 1149
By:
Representatives England of the
108th,
Benton of the
31st,
Jamieson of the
28th,
Shaw of the
176th,
Burns of the
157th,
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 professionals who serve rural
Georgia and encourages the development of an improved health care system
throughout the state; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia has 110 rural counties with over 1.6 million residents, 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, infant
mortality, diabetes, children at risk for overweight and obesity, and the
growing uninsured population and elderly population with multiple diseases, far
exceed their local health care resources; and
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Rural Development Council recognized 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,
and access to capital for aging health care facilities.
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 12, 2008, 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 the Georgia
Rural Health Association.