>>> AND OUR UNIVERSITY WOULDN'T BE WHERE IT IS WITHOUT THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM, SO GREAT LEADERSHIP MAKES FOR GREAT STATES, OPPORTUNITY TO DO BUSINESS IN THE STATE GROWN EVERY YEAR THANKS TO THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM SO IT ATTRACTS POPULATION, POPULATION IS GOOD FOR FOOTBALL, THE MORE I CAN RECRUIT, THE BETTER OFF WE'LL BE, BUT YOU THE BETTER YOU MAKE THE STATE, THE BETTER OUR FOOTBALL TEAM WILL BE SO I LOOK AT THIS AS A TEAM EFFORT AND WE GOT A HELL OF A TEAM IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

>> NOTHING UNITES DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS UNDER THE DOME LIKE A BULLDOG NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, TOP FIVE, INSPIRING WORDS FROM THE HEAD COACH, GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU TO LAWMAKERS ON THIS DAY, 22 OF THE LAW MAKING SESSION, MORE OF THE MAGIC THAT COACH BROUGHT TO THE CAPITOL IN JUST A MOMENT.

ON THE SHOW, WE'LL LOOK AT A BILL AIMED AT PREVENTING DEATHS IN ELEVATOR ACCIDENTS LIKE THE ONE THAT KILLED A TEENAGER LAST SUMMER.

WE'LL ALSO LOOK AT EFFORTS TO KEEP 10S OF THOUSANDS OF GEORGENS FROM LOSING MEDICAID AND I'LL LOOK AT LEGISLATION TO HELP THOSE WHO DONATE THEIR ORGANS TO SAVE THE LIVES OF OTHERS, CHIEF DEPUTY WHIPP JOINS US.

BUT FIRST, WE HEAD TO THE GOLD DOME AND OUR HARDWORKING CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT BRENDA WATERS WITH A LOOK AT TODAY'S NEWS.

>> HEY DONNA YES, I'M ONE OF THOSE HARD WORKING GEORGENS THE SENATOR TALKS ABOUT, BUT TONIGHT, HAD A GUEST, NONE OTHER THAN THE HEAD FOOTBALL COACH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA.

>> IT IS GREAT TO BE A GEORGIA BULLDOG TODAY, PLEASE WELCOME COACH KIRBY SMART TO THE PODIUM.

>> I DON'T ALWAYS LIKE EVENTS LIKE THIS BECAUSE I WANT TO BE FOCUSED ON NEXT YEAR, NOT LAST YEAR, AND IF YOU SIT TOO LONG, THAT GUY ACROSS THE STATE LINE WILL CATCH UP WITH YOU.

SO THE IDEA IS TO STAY AHEAD AND BIG THING FOR US IS LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR, KIND OF WHERE WE'RE AT, OUR GUYS WERE OUT THERE GRINDING AS HARD AS THEY CAN, BUT WE WANT TO KEEP UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA GROWING BOTH ACADEMICALLY, INDEPENDENTLY, AND IN EVERY FACET.

WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE AND GO DOGS!

[ APPLAUSE ] >> BUT THEN IT WAS BACK TO BUSINESS, HOUSE BILL 1302 WOULD MEAN MONEY IN THE POCKETS OF HARDWORKING GEORGEENS, IT PAST IN THE HOUSE, DELIVERING ON THE PROPOSAL FOR TAX RETURN CHECKS OF 250 TO $500 TO TAX PAYER.

>> HOUSE BILL 1302 PRESENTS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PUT $1.6 BILLION BACK IN THE POCKETS OF HARD WORKING GEORGENS FOR THOSE WHO FILED TAX RETURN IN 2020, AND 2021, TO RECEIVE A REFUND WHEN FILING THIS YEAR, SINGLE FILERS, $250, HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD WILL RECEIVE 375 AND MARRIED COUPLES FILING JOINTLY WILL RECEIVE $500.

>> THIS MONEY WOULD COME FROM A 1.6 BILLION BUDGET SURPLUS THE STATE HAD FOLLOWING BUDGET CUTS AT THE ON SET OF THE PANDEMIC, ANOTHER BILL THAT IS TOP PRIORITY FOR THE GOVERNOR IS HB-1188, THIS BILL, SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE JODY LAUGHT RELATES TO CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND HOW CRIMINAL PROCEDURES FOR EACH ACT OF CHILD MOLESTATION WILL BE CHARGED INDEPENDENTLY, THIS PASSED 168-0.

A BILL WAS PASSED TO ALLOW PARENTS CHILDREN TO OPT THEM OUT OF WEARING MASKS AT SCHOOLS.

IT WAS DEBATED ON THE FLOOR, THE UNMASKED GEORGIA STUDENTS ACT WAS PASSED EVEN THOUGH MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS WERE RELAXING THEIR MASK MANDATES THIS WEEK.

ALSO ON THE FLOOR, SB 456, A REPUBLICAN BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE A FACE-TO-FACE DOCTOR CONSULTATION BEFORE A WOMAN COULD BE ADMINISTERED ABORTION INDUCING DRUGS.

>> THE PROPONENTS OF THIS BILL WILL TELL YOU THE FDA DROPPED IN PERSON REQUIREMENTS FOR PRESCRIBING THESE DRUGS.

THAT'S TRUE, BUT THE FDA CONTINUES TO PROVIDE WARNINGS OF THESE DRUGS HARMFUL SIDE EFFECTS, THEY SPECIFICALLY WARN PATIENTS ABOUT OBTAINING THESE DRUGS IN THE MAIL AND EVEN CITE 26 DEATHS NOT INCLUDING THE INNOCENT BABY FROM USING THESE DRUGS.

AGAIN, OPPONENTS OF THIS BILL WILL TELL YOU THAT IT LIMITS ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE SERVICES BY REMOVING THE ABILITY OF THE PATIENTS TO ACCESS MAIL-ORDER OR TELEHEALTH SERVICE.

THAT'S FALSE.

>> DEMOCRATS SAY THIS ISN'T ABOUT WOMEN'S HEALTH, BUT ANOTHER WAY TO CONTROL A WOMAN'S CHOICE.

>> THE BILL WORKS TO UNRAVEL THE STRIDES WE HAVE MADE AS A SOCIETY TO INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE THROUGH TECHNOLOGY.

IF A WOMAN IS ALREADY SEEKING ABORTION CARE VIA TELEHEALTH AND MAILED PRESCRIPTIONS, THEN THERE VERY WELL MAY BE A BARRIER THAT COULD ACCESS THAT TECHNOLOGY COULD REMEDY.

RESTRICTING THE ACCESS WON'T MAKE HER CHANGE HER MIND ABOUT WANTING THE PREGNANCY, IT WILL ONLY MAKE HER FEEL TRAP, FRUSTRATED AND HOPELESS.

>> SENATOR BEN WATSON WHO IS A FINISH, PHYSICIAN, SAYS THE BILL BRINGS BACK OLD STANDARDS.

>> IT'S A BILL THAT MOVES US BACK TO A PREPANDEMIC STATE, A MEDICINE THAT HAS SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS THAT IS REQUIRED BY THE FDA TO JUMP THROUGH CERTAIN HOOPS IN AN IMPORTANT WAY THAT IS IMPORTANT TO DO.

IT REQUIRES A FOLLOW-UP VISIT.

IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT DISCUSSION TO HAVE.

THAT'S WHAT THE BILL DOES.

>> LET ME BE CLEAR THAT INTENDED OUTCOME OF THIS BILL IS TO LIMIT ABORTION ACCESS IN GEORGIA WITH THE HOPE THAT FEWER WOMEN WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

AND WHAT'S REALLY CRUEL ABOUT THIS BILL IS THAT THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY THE MOST VULNERABLE ARE THE ONES WHO ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE BURNED BY THIS INJUSTICE.

PEOPLE WHO ARE POOR, PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND PEOPLE WITH COLOR.

>> IN THE END, THE BILL WAS PASSED ALONG PARTY LINES 31-22.

LATER IN THE AFTERNOON, SPEAKER RAULSON HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE TOUTING NEW TAX REFORM LEGISLATION.

>> WE NOW CUT TAXES ON GEORGIANS NOT ONCE BUT TWICE, AND HERE, TO ANNOUNCE WE'RE CUTTING TAXES ON GEORGIA'S FAMILIES A THIRD TIME.

>> THE PROPOSAL WRAPS MANY EXISTING CONVENTIONS INTO A LARGER $24,000 SINGLE AND MARRIED EXTENSION.

>> THOSE TAX BREAKS DON'T GO INTO EFFECT UNTIL NEXT YEAR.

ONE THING WORTH REPEATING, I THINK YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS!

GO DOGS!

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY, THANK YOU BRENDA.

>>> WE'RE GOING TO TALK NOW ABOUT A FEW DIFFERENT BILLS.

ONE TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO SELFLESSLY DONATE ORGANS AND ANOTHER WHO SERVE IN THE GEORGIA LEGISLATURE, JOINING ME, CHIEF SENATOR ROSSWELL AND VALENCIA OF RIVERDALES, WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS OF BOTH OF YOU.

I LIKE SAYING DEPUTY, DO YOU LIKE THAT TITLE?

>> WHATEVER WORKS, DONNA, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> BEFORE WE GET INTO YOUR BILL, LET'S GIVE EVERYONE AN IDEA OF THE SCOPE OF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHEN IT COMES TO ORGAN DONATIONS.

IN 2021, IN THE UNITED STATES, A RECORD 40,000 TRANSPLANTS TOOK PLACE ACCORDING TO THE UNITED NETWORK FOR ORGAN SHARING.

ALSO, LAST YEAR SET RECORDS FOR KIDNEY, LIVER AND HEART TRANSPLANTS.

THERE WERE MORE THAN 6,500 LIVING DONORS AND THAT'S INCREASE OF 14%.

A LOT GOING ON IN THAT AREA.

WHAT DREW YOU TO THIS PARTICULAR SUBJECT?

>> DONNA BACK IN AUGUST OF 2020, MY OLDER SON WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL AND WE ALMOST LOST HIM AND FOUND OUT BOTH HIS KIDNEYS HAD SHUT DOWN.

IT WAS DEVASTATING, BUT HE WAS ALIVE, BUT AT THE YOUNG AGE OF 24 HE HAD TO GO ON DIALYSIS.

VERY TRAUMATIC SITUATION, BUT MY WIFE AND I DO WHAT WE DO WHICH IS WE WENT INTO FIX IT MODE, AND WE'RE FORTUNATE, BECAUSE WE ARE EDUCATED.

WE HAVE A LOT OF GOOD CONNECTIONS AND WE'RE SUPER TYPE-A PERSONALITY, AND I WAS VERY EXCITED AS WE WORKED THROUGH THAT PROCESS THAT I GOT THE GREATEST PHONECALL OF MY LIFE ON JULY FIRST OF LAST YEAR WHEN THE DOCTOR SAID YOU'RE NOT JUST A MATCH, YOU'RE A PERFECT MATCH, AND IT WAS SUCH A BLESSING AND ON JULY THE 21st OF LAST YEAR, JUST ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS AGO WE WALKED INTO EMERY UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL ARM-IN-ARM 5:00 IN THE MORNING AND ABLE TO DONATE MY LEFT KIDNEY TO WILL AND PROUD TO REPORT WE'RE BOTH 100% HEALED.

>> WOW, I FEEL WE SHOULD APPLAUD OR MAYBE CRY A LITTLE BIT.

SUCH A GREAT STORY AND IT DOES TAKE SOMETHING PERSONAL TO IT BUT YOU WANT TO HELP OTHERS SO YOU GOT SENATE BILL 1030.

>> THE GIVING GIFT OF LIFE ACT IS ABOUT PEOPLE GETTING INVOLVED GIVING THEIR ORGANS AND MAKING SURE WE CAN FACILITATE THIS PROCESS, AND I WANT THIS LIST DOWN TO ZERO.

I DON'T WANT ONE PERSON IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA WAITING ON AN ORGAN AND DO THAT IN THREE PARTS IN THE BILL, FIRST PART IS MAKING SURE DONORS LIKE MYSELF CAN NEVER BE DENIED OR CANCELED FROM THEIR LIFE INSURANCE.

SECOND PART OF THE BILL TAKES A PARENT TAX EXEMPTION, $10,000, FROM DECADES AGO RAISING FROM $20,000, AND THE SECOND PART FROM EMPLOYERS TO GET A TAX EXEMPTION SO DONORS LIKE ME AS WELL AS RECIPIENTS LIKE WILL ON THE PAYROLL FOR SIX WEEKS SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO TO FMLA OR LOSE THEIR JOB OR THE TIME THEY SAVED UP.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST RETURN ON INVESTMENTS IN HISTORY BECAUSE MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE SAVE PEOPLES' LIVES, HOWEVER, THE AMOUNT THE STATE WOULD HAVE TO GIVE UP TO DO THAT IS ABOUT $1.7 MILLION AND THE RETURN IS $62 MILLION BY GETTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK AND NOT HAVING TO HAVE THOSE ENORMOUS MEDICAL EXPENSES OF WHAT DIALYSIS OR LIVER FAILURE, THOSE THINGS MEAN.

THIS IS OUR CALLING.

THIS IS WHAT WILL AND I ARE GOING TO DO FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES AND WHEN WE'RE DONE IN GEORGIA, WE'RE GOING TO DO IT IN 49 OTHER STATES.

>> WOW, SO THIS REALLY IS YOUR CALLING.

LET'S TALK ABOUT PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE BEEN TAKEN OFF THE ROLES, HOW MUCH OF A PROBLEM IS THAT IN TERMS OF HEALTH INSURANCE NOT PAYING FOR IT?

>> WELL, THANKFULLY, WHAT WE FOUND OUT THROUGH THIS PROCESS IS ANYBODY AT ANY AGE CAN GET MEDICARE IF YOU'RE IN RENAL FAILURE, KIDNEY FAILURE, MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT SO I'M PROUD TO HAVE JOINED THE GEORGIA TRANSPLANT FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WE'RE WORKING WITH EMERY AND PEDMONT AND ALL THE FAMILIES IMPACTED IN THIS, DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE A YOUNG CHILD OR SENIOR CITIZEN, EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN, IT'S AN EDUCATION PROCESS AND ONE OTHER THING I WANT TO MENTION AND THAT, FOR US, MOST OF US WHO HAVE SIGNED THE BACK OF OUR DRIVER'S LICENSE AND CHECKED THAT BOX, DONATE ORGANS BUT ALMOST EVERYTIME YOUR FAMILY OVER RULES YOU AT THE TIME OF YOUR DEATH AND BECAUSE OF THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT GETTING THE ORGANS THAT COULD HELP LIVE ON IN OTHERS SO I WANT TO TELL EVERYONE WATCHING THIS, TALK TO YOUR FAMILY, LET THEM KNOW WHAT YOUR WISHES ARE AND MAKE SURE YOU CAN LIVE ON AT THE POINT YOU'RE GOING TO HEAVEN.

>> A GOOD CONVERSATION, MAKE IT CLEAR THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT, YOU SIGNED UP FOR IT FOR A REASON.

DIDN'T REALIZE THAT, A BIG PERCENTAGE.

THANK YOU FOR THAT, WE'RE NOT GOING TO IGNORE YOU BUT SWITCH TOPICS A LITTLE BIT NOW AND BRING IN SENATOR SEE AND THE BILL YOU'VE BEEN PUSHING NOW FOR YEARS HAS TO DO ABOUT RAISING THE PAY FOR LAWMAKERS.

>> WELL THIS IS MY 20th YEAR SERVING IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, I DID TWO YEARS ON THE HOUSE SIDE, BUT I NEVER THOUGHT WHEN I RAN THAT THE PAY WAS ONLY 17.5 AND HADN'T MOVED VERY MUCH AT ALL AND I'VE BEEN ATTEMPTING A BILL TO GIVE US A RAISE.

I TRULY BELIEVE YOU HAVE NOT BECAUSE YOU ASK NOT, SO I'VE BEEN ASKING FOR QUITE A WHILE, YEAR AFTER YEAR, TO NO AVAIL, BUT I HAD TO START BECAUSE I DO BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE VALUED BUT IF YOU DON'T ASK, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO RECEIVE.

>> I KNOW YOUR BILL THIS YEAR SB-252 HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT SO ARE YOU A LITTLE HOPEFUL THIS YEAR?

>> A LITTLE, BUT WE'LL SEE.

THINGS ARE LOOKING BETTER, SO AS MORE PEOPLE ARE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE AS A STATE LEGISLATOR DOESN'T MAKE WHAT CONGRESS MAKES.

MOST PEOPLE THINK WE MAKE WHAT CONGRESS MAKES AND WE ARE NOWHERE NEAR THERE, BUT WHEN ALABAMA MAKES MORE THAN US, GEORGIA, WE GOT A PROBLEM.

>> AND THE BIG THING IS YOU'LL THINK IT WILL ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE TO BECOME LAWMAKERS.

>> FOR SURE.

BECAUSE IF YOU ARE A PERSON WHO ARE GIVING.

YOUR TIME AND THIS IS A LOT OF TIME.

I MEAN IT'S FULL -- >> IT'S CONSIDERED PART TIME.

>> IT'S FULL TIME.

YOU DON'T STOP ON DAY 40 BEING A SENATOR.

MY PHONE STILL RING, I STILL GET INVITED TO A MYRIAD OF THINGS, BUT IT DOESN'T STOP.

SO YOU SHOULD BE PAID FOR YOUR WORK, YOUR TIME.

I DON'T MIND, BECAUSE I'VE DONE IT FOR 20 YEARS SO THAT VALIDATING I DON'T MIND SERVING BECAUSE I KNOW I WAS CALLED TO SERVE.

AND THAT'S WHY I HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN SERVING 30 YEARS TOTAL.

>> YEAH, BECAUSE YOU SERVED AT THE CLINTON COUNTY SCHOOLBOARD BEFORE THAT.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> I WANT TO GET SOMETHING CLEAR IN THE NEWS, THE CALL FOR 500,000 PAY RAISE FOR ALL STATE EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS BUT LOOKS LIKE THAT CANNOT.

LEGALLY FOR THAT GROUP, PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, I WANT YOU TO TALK A LITTLE ABOUT WHAT'S ALL GOING ON THERE.

>> WELL, FIRST I HAVE TO THANK GOVERNOR KEN FOR INVESTING IN ALL OUR STATE EMPLOYEES HE'S DONE A FANTASTIC JOB.

WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON NOW IS CALLED THE AMENDED BUDGET, OR WE CALL BABY BUDGET, GETS US NOW TO JUNE 30th, WE'RE GIVING STATE EMPLOYEES A BONUS TO COMPLETE THIS FISCAL YEAR WITH A $500,000 PAY RAISE AND BEGIN NEXT YEAR AS A NORMAL SALARY PAY RAISE, HOWEVER, THE CONSTITUTION PREVENTS US FROM ALLOWING LEGISLATURES IN THE JUDICIAL BRANCH FROM GETTING A BONUS.

SO YOONG YOU'LL SEE THE FULL YEAR BUDGET TO BRING THOSE THROUGH, WE'LL BE WORKING ON THE COMING WEEKS AND WILL BEGIN JULY FIRST OF THIS COMING WEEKS.

>> AND WAS GOING TO BE JUST A PORTION OF THAT $500,000, 3750.

>> SO THAT WOULD BE PART OF A BONUS, BUT SALARIES WOULD INCREASE TO MEET THE AMOUNT BY THE END OF JUNE.

>> SO WE WON'T SEE IT.

>> WON'T SEE IT NOW, BUT PROBABLY SOMETHING BEGINNING IN THE JULY BUDGET.

>> MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD?

>> IT MAKES ME FEEL HOPEFUL.

I'LL BELIEVE IT WHEN I GET IT.

>> HAVE YOU ACTUALLY TALKED TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE SAID I'D LIKE TO RUN BUT I JUST CAN'T AFFORD TO MAKE THAT KIND OF MONEY, TO MAKE 17.5?

I HAVE, AND IT'S MOSTLY BEEN WOMEN.

BECAUSE MOST OF THE TIME WOMEN ARE THE CARETAKERS OF THE WHOLE HOUSEHOLD AND IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU AREN'T GETTING PAID TO WORK.

>> SO GIVE THEM MORE MONEY, MIGHT ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE.

>> THAT'S CERTAINLY MY THINKING.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN, TELLING US, WELL YOU BOTH HAD PERSONAL STORIES I GUESS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> COMING UP, LEGISLATION LOOKING TO PREVENT ELEVATOR ACCIDENTS, THAT AND MORE WHEN WE RETURN.

YOU'RE WATCHING "LAWMAKERS" ON GPB.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS WE'LL FOCUS NOW ON HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES FOR A FEW MINUTES, JOINING ME DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE FOR BROOKHAVEN WELCOME TO LAWMAKERS AND WE'LL START WITH A BILL RELATING TO ELEVATORS.

LAST IN AUGUST, 18-YEAR-OLD STRANDED IN ELEVATOR AND LATER DIED, I'LL SAY THAT STORY SHOCKED ALL OF US AND WE GET IN ELEVATORS ALL THE TIME AND RARELY THINK ABOUT IT.

TELL US MORE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED FOR THIS YOUNG MAN.

>> WELL IT'S SUCH A HORRIFIC TRAGEDY THAT HAPPENED NOT TOO FAR FROM WHERE WE SIT TONIGHT.

JAMARCUS WAS AN 18-YEAR-OLD COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER WHO WAS LIVING IN STUDENT HOUSING JUST BEHIND ATLANTA MEDICAL CENTER, AND HE WAS IN AN ELEVATOR WITH SOME OF HIS TEAMMATE AND SEE THEY WERE GOING TO AND FROM PRACTICE.

THE ELEVATOR STARTED FALLING BUT CAUGHT BETWEEN SEVERAL FLOORS AND THE DOORS WERE OPEN SO THEY WERE TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE ELEVATOR SO SEVERAL STUDENTS SUCCESSFULLY GOT OUT BUT UNFORTUNATELY JAMARCUS WAS PINNED AND CRUSHED IN FRONT OF HIS FRIENDS AND AS HORRIFIC ALL OF THAT WAS THE WORST PART WAS WHAT CAME OUT OF THE INVESTIGATION SEVERAL DAYS LATER IS THIS PARTICULAR ELEVATOR HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE STATE IN OVER TWO YEARS.

>> WOW, I WANT TO GET INTO SOME STATISTICS AS WE GET INTO THIS A LITTLE BIT MORE.

THE U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS AND CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION REPORTS ELEVATORS AND ESCALATORS ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT 30 DEATHS AND 17,000 SERIOUS INJURIES A YEAR.

ELEVATORS ALONE ACCOUNT FOR 90% OF DEATHS AND 60% OF INJURIES AND REPRESENTATIVE WILSON, THAT BILL YOU TALKED ABOUT, IT COMES DOWN HARD ON THESE INSPECTIONS TALK A LITTLE MORE ABOUT WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN AND WHAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

>> SURE SO THE LAW CHANGED LAST YEAR EVERY ELEVATOR INSPECTED ONCE EVERY 12 MONTHS, BEFORE IT WAS SIX MONTHS AND ELEVATORS ARE MADE TO A HIGHER STANDARD TODAY, MUCH SAFER ESPECIALLY WHEN BRAND NEW.

THE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT ASKED US TO PASS THAT LAW TO GIVE US MORE FLEXIBILITY TO TARGET THE OLDER ELEVATORS, THE ELEVATORS THE STATE HASN'T INSPECTED IN QUITE A WHILE, SO ONCE EVERY 12 MONTHS ELEVATOR HAS TO BE INSPECTED.

THIS PARTICULAR ELEVATOR NOT INSPECTED IN OVER TWO YEARS, MORE THAN A YEAR PASTED THE DEADLINE AND WHEN INSURANCE COMMISSIONER WAS ASKED WHAT GIVES HERE HE, YOU KNOW, PUT IT BACK ON THE PROPERTY OWNER AND SAID IT IS THE PROPERTY OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO SCHEDULE THAT INSPECTION.

AND SO WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS IT UPS THE FINES FOR THE PROPERTY OWNER IF THEY FAIL TO INITIALLY SCHEDULE THAT INSPECTION AND HAVE IT COMPLETED WITHIN 60 DAYS OF THE LAST INSPECTION AND THEN IT ASKS THE STATE TO GET MORE INVOLVED, IF THE PROPERTY OWNER MORE THAN 60 DAYS HASN'T SCHEDULED, FINE GOES FROM $2,500, THE COMMISSIONER WILL SCHEDULE THAT INSPECTION AND IF PROBLEMS PERSIST THE FINES GO UP FROM THERE, BUT THE IDEA IS THAT THE STATE STEPS IN AND TAKES THAT RESPONSIBILITY WHERE THE PROPERTY OWNER HAS FAILED TO DO SO.

>> I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW MANY ELEVATORS ARE IN THE STATE, THOUGH, THAT'S A LOT.

>> A LOT, AND THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER IS IN CHARGE OF INSPECTING ALL OF THEM EXCEPT FOR IN PRIVATE HOMES.

>> YEAH, I WAS GOING TO SAY, IT FALLS UNDER THE FIRE SAFETY COMMISSIONER AND SOMETHING ELSE TO ADD TO THEIR PLATE.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT THE BILL TO THIS POINT?

>> WE HAD A VERY GOOD SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING EARLIER IN THE WEEK SO I'M HOPEFUL, ONE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER RESPONDED WHAT THEY REALLY NEED IS MORE FUNDING FOR MORE EMPLOYEES.

I WISH THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER WOULD HAVE INCLUDED IN A IN ANY OF THE BUDGET REQUESTS OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS BUT NOT HEARING AN ARGUMENT FROM ME THAT WE DON'T NEED MORE RESOURCES THERE.

THE STATE DEPARTMENTS HAVE JUST BEEN EMACIATED OVER THE LAST DECADE AND AND A HALF, DUE TO BUDGET CUTS.

>> SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD BILL AND WE'LL KEEP UP TO DATE ON THAT ONE.

I WANT TO SWITCH NOW TO ANOTHER OF YOUR BILLS, HB 1273 IS THE MEDICAID CONTINUITY OF COVERAGE PROGRAM, ITS AIM ABOUT KEEPING ABOUT HALF A MILLION GEORGIANS INCLUDING 10S OF THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN FROM LOSING HEALTHCARE INSURANCE.

BEFORE WE HAVE YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR BILL, I TALKED EARLIER TO REPRESENTATIVE SHARON COOPER ABOUT THE PROBLEM.

>> WE ARE UNDER, YOU KNOW, A HEALTH EXECUTIVE ORDER FROM THE PRESIDENT FOR KEEPING PEOPLE ON MEDICAID THAT WENT ON MEDICAID BECAUSE OF LOSING THEIR JOBS AND NEEDING INSURANCE DURING THE COVID CRISIS.

THEY -- HE HAS JUST EXTENDED THAT AGAIN, SO PEOPLE ARE STILL ON THAT PROGRAM.

AND SEEING SOME SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO HANDLE THAT, TO GRADUALLY, YOU KNOW, LET THOSE PEOPLE OFF, TRY TO REACH THEM, TRY TO HELP THEM GET COVERAGE IF THEY QUALIFY FOR THE OBAMA CARE OR IF THEIR CHILDREN QUALIFY FOR OTHER PROGRAMS AND NOT JUST DROP 500,000 PEOPLE ALL AT ONCE WHICH OUR STATE DOES NOT INTEND TO DO.

>> ANY DISRUPTION IN MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR CHILDREN IMPACTED, WHAT WOULD THAT MEAN?

>> WELL, ANY INTERRUPTION IN CARE IS NOT GOOD, BUT, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THE CHILDREN WILL PROBABLY QUALIFY FOR OUR PEDIATRIC PROGRAM THAT WE ALREADY HAVE.

AND SO THAT'S WHAT THE CMS IS SUGGESTING THAT YOU JUST DON'T DROP PEOPLE RIGHT AWAY, THAT YOU REACH OUT, TRY REALLY HARD BY EMAILS OR WHATEVER KIND OF INFORMATION YOU HAVE, AND THAT YOU MAKE A REALLY CONCENTRATED EFFORT TO REACH THESE PEOPLE BEFORE THEIR DROP AND THEN YOU EVALUATE WHERE THEY ARE, WHETHER THEY CONTINUE ON OUR MEDICAID PROGRAM, OR WEATHER THEY NEED, YOU NEED TO HELP THEM FIND OTHER PROBLEMS IF AT ALL POSSIBLE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN.

>> IF THEY DON'T RECEIVE A LETTER, HOW DO THEY FIND OUT WHETHER THIS COVERAGE WILL CONTINUE?

WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST?

>> NO, THEY'RE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO REACH OUT TO THEM.

THEY COULD CONTACT THE STATE IF THEY'VE BEEN ON MEDICAID CAN ASK THEIR LEGISLATURES TO SEE IF THEY STILL QUALIFY, BUT THE STATE IS GOING TO USE EVERY POSSIBLE MEANS AND BE ABLE TO SHARE THE CMOs HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION ON PATIENTS, THEIR EMAILS AND SO FORTH, AND CMS GOING TO SHARE THAT SO, YOU KNOW, EVERY EFFORT CAN BE MADE TO REACH THESE PEOPLE AND TO HELP THEM.

>> CHAIRMAN SHARON COOPER, WHEN SHE SAYS CMS SHE'S TALKING ABOUT CENTERS FOR MEDICAID AND MEDICARE SERVICES SO REPRESENTATIVE WILSON, TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR BILL, HB 1273.

>> SO AS CHAIRMAN WAS SAYING, DURING THE PANDEMIC THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REQUIRED EVERYONE ON MEDICAID STAYS ON MEDICAID EVEN IF THEY LOSE THEIR ELIGIBILITY, BUT ONCE THE FEDERAL PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY DECLARATION IS LIFTED, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND HALF A MILLION PEOPLE HERE IN GEORGIA WHO ARE DUE TO LOSE COVERAGE OVER NIGHT, OR AT LEAST TRIGGER A RECERTIFICATION PROCESS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY STILL QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID COVERAGE.

AND SO THIS BILL ENACTS CMS'S GUIDELINES TO REQUIRE THE STATE TO USE A FULL YEAR TO MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT RUSHING THIS PROCESS LIKE OTHER STATES ARE TRYING TO DO, 90 DAYS IN OHIO.

USE THE FULL YEAR AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS RECOMMENDED.

ALSO, PARTNER WITH THE MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS, THE MIDDLE MEN, WHO ARE ADMINISTERING MEDICAID, WITH MORE CONTACT INFORMATION ON THE RECIPIENTS THAN THE STATE DOES BECAUSE FOR MANY RECIPIENTS IT'S BEEN OVER TWO YEARS SINCE THEY HAD TO FILE ANYTHING FOR THE STATE AND THIS IS A HIGHLY MOBILE POPULATION GIVEN EMPLOYMENT STATUS.

>> WE'VE SEEN MOBILE POPULATIONS A LOT DURING THE PANDEMIC, KEEP GOING THOUGH.

>> SO IT REQUIRES THE STATE TO WORK HAND-IN-HAND WITH THE CMOs, GET THE CONTACT INFORMATION UP TO DATE SO WE'RE NOT JUST SENDING A FORM LETTER BUT USING EVERY AVAILABLE MEANS OF CONTACT INFORMATION.

AND THE THIRD THING IS DOES IS REQUIRE THE STATE TO PRE-SCREEN ANYONE WHO'S DUE TO BE DISENROLLED FROM MEDICAID TO SEE IF THEY QUALIFY FOR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND SOME EXPERTS AT THE URBAN INSTITUTE WHO LOOKED AT THIS WHO HAVE CRUNCHED THE NUMBERS BELIEVE ANYWHERE FROM 65 TO 80% OF THIS POPULATION, THIS TARGET POPULATION WOULD QUALIFY FOR SOME OTHER GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

AND THIS IS SO CRITICAL, ESPECIALLY FOR GEORGIA, BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT FULLY EXPANDED MEDICAID AND HAVE THE THIRD HIGHEST UNINSURED POPULATION OF ANY OTHER STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

12% OF GEORGIANS DO NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE, THAT'S WHY WE'VE SEEN MORE THAN A DOZEN RURAL HOSPITALS CLOSE OVER THE LAST DECADE.

IT'S WHY WE HAVE SO MUCH PROBLEM MOVING UP IN THE RANKINGS ON OUR MEDICAL CARE IN THE STATE, SO THIS IS AN URGENT ISSUE.

>> BUT CHAIRMAN COOPER DID SAY THAT THIS BILL IS GOING TO HAPPEN REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOUR BILL GOES THROUGH OR NOT, HOW DO YOU -- >> I HOPE SHE'S RIGHT.

IF ONLY CHAIRMAN COOPER WERE RUNNING THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH.

MY CONCERN IS OTHER REPUBLICAN-LED LEGISLATURES IN OTHER STATES HAVE FACED THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE AND THEY HAVE GONE THE OTHER DIRECTION.

OHIO, I JUST MENTIONED, PASSED A BILL SAYING UNENROLLED, THESE FOLKS, WITHIN 90 DAYS, AND EVERYONE AGREES THAT IS NOT NEARLY ENOUGH TIME.

THE LAST THING WE NEED TO BE DOING IS ADDING TO OUR UNINSURED POPULATION.

>> OKAY.

A LOT TO THIS.

THANK YOU FOR COMING IN AND TALKING ABOUT IT, UNFORTUNATE LY, WE'RE ABOUT OUT OF TIME FOR "LAWMAKER" TONIGHT, YOU CAN JOIN US ON THURSDAY AND WE'LL HAVE LEGISLATIVE DAY 23.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.