07 LC 96
2324
House
Resolution 232
By:
Representatives Buckner of the
130th,
England of the
108th,
Benton of the
31st,
Roberts of the
154th,
Epps of the
128th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Commending
the Georgia Rural Health Association and recognizing February 13, 2007, as
"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,
even though Georgia has 118 rural counties with over 2 million residents –
one-third of the state's population – rural counties are served by only
one-half as many physicians as urban counties, and the availability and quality
of health care facilities and professional services continues to decline;
and
WHEREAS,
rural counties have higher rates of cancer and cardiovascular mortality, infant
mortality, child abuse, and teen pregnancy, and the health care demand posed by
the growing uninsured population and elderly population far exceeds the local
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,
and access to funding 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 13, 2007, as "Rural Health Day."
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House is authorized and directed to
transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Georgia Rural Health
Association.