COOPER, HARBIN REQUEST AUDIT OF GRADY HOSPITAL’S PUBLIC FUNDS         

ATLANTA—Georgia State Representatives Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta) and Ben Harbin (R-Evans) have requested an audit of all public funds received by Grady Hospital.  In a letter dated September 13, 2007, Cooper, who chairs the House Special Committee on Grady Hospital, requested that Harbin, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, seek a full audit of public funds received by Grady Hospital.

“This audit will provide the Special Committee on Grady Hospital with critical insight into Grady’s financial matters and assist members in completing our mandate to develop practical solutions to protect our state’s largest trauma and safety network hospital,” Chairman Cooper remarked.

Because the Georgia legislature does not have the authority to do a complete audit of all of Grady’s financial records, the audit will focus exclusively on state funds appropriated for programs and expenditures for Grady Hospital.  The audit will also show the associated funding for Morehouse and Emory that is appropriated by the state.

"As we move forward with our discussions on how to ensure the viability of Grady and protect the taxpayers of Georgia, we must know exactly where we are with our current investments. This audit will give the state a good foundation to know what the next steps should be in protecting access and quality of healthcare for all consumers involved," Representative Harbin stated.

House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) created the House Special Committee on Grady Hospital to examine the financial problems facing Grady and to develop practical solutions to protect the future of the hospital.  Other committee members include Representatives Melvin Everson (R-Snellville), John Lunsford (R-McDonough), Penny Houston (R-Nashville), and Pam Stephenson (D-Atlanta).

The Special Committee on Grady Hospital will hold its next hearing on Wednesday, September 19, 2007, at the State Capitol.

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