GHA has several initiatives as part of our objective to serve as the leading advocate for all Georgia hospitals and health care systems. Our government relations efforts give hospitals a legislative voice at the state and national level. Each of our initiatives, from the Center for Rural Health to the Emergency Preparedness program to the Partnership for Health and Accountability, ensures that our hospitals have all the resources they need to thrive in their communities. 

GHA supports efforts to modernize Georgia's tort laws to reduce unnecessary litigation costs to businesses, preserve access to care for Georgia citizens in need of high-risk services, and protect the health care community's ability to provide high-quality care to all, regardless of ability to pay. Georgia's current tort laws have encouraged extremely high jury awards and incentivized lawsuits in cases where mediation may have been a viable option. Frivolous lawsuits lead to increased cost of care for all Georgia's patients, and GHA supports efforts to improve Georgia's tort statute by addressing "phantom damages" and "anchoring" practices, prohibiting venue shopping, and other considerations that protect patients' rights while preventing unnecessary lawsuits. 

 GHA Healthcare Liability Reform webpage

Capitol Health Hotline is a daily publication for member hospitals and their staff to help them stay up-to-date throughout the session. Capitol Health Hotline editions will be posted each day during the legislative session.

The Center for Rural Health

The Data and Technology Committee 

The Council on Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorder Hospitals 

The Council for Rehabilitation Services

GHA Council for Health Care Workforce 

The Georgia In-House Counsel Association

GHA has developed a coronavirus page with breaking news, updated COVID-19 statistics as well as state and federal resources regarding the virus. 

With declining reimbursement rates and the continual efforts to do more with less, several hospitals have had to shut down, leaving many communities without access to a hospital in close proximity. In addition, many hospitals have had to eliminate vital services. Since 2013, there have been 12 hospital closures (listed below). However, the Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program has greatly benefited other rural hospitals in helping them keep their doors open to continue to provide vital services to their communities.

Calhoun Memorial Hospital (2013)

Stewart-Webster Hospital (2013)

Charlton Memorial Hospital (2013)

Lower Oconee Community Hospital (2014)

Emory-Adventist Hospital (2014)

North Georgia Medical Center (2016)

Lake Bridge Behavioral Health (2017)

Select Specialty Hospital - Northeast Atlanta (2017)

Chestatee Regional Hospital (2018)

Southern Crescent Hospital for Specialty Care (2019)

Kindred Hospital Rome (2020)

Southwest Georgia Regional Medical Center (October 2020)

Northridge Medical Center (October 2020)

Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center (November 2022)

Other Georgia hospitals that have closed before 2013:

West Paces Medical Center (1999)

Charter Augusta, Charter Winds, and Charter Lake Behavioral (2000)

Dooly Medical Center (2001)

Hancock Memorial Hospital (2001)

Emory Parkway Medical Center (2002)

Northlake Medical Center (2006)

Telfair Regional Hospital (2008)

Southwest Atlanta Hospital, formerly Legacy Medical Center (2009)

Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital (2011)

• Georgia Designated Trauma & Specialty Care Centers List
• Georgia Designated Trauma & Specialty Care Centers Map