♪♪ >>> DON'T GET MAD.

SINCE YOU MADE THE DECISION TO DO WHAT YOU DID, DON'T GET MAD.

I TOLD YOU FROM THE BEGINNING WE WERE GONNA FIGHT.

AND JUST AS SOON AS THE TIME WE FILED THE SUIT, WE GONNA FIGHT ABOUT ELECTIONS IN GEORGIA.

>> FIERY WORDS TODAY FROM DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ABOUT THE ELECTION BILL SIGNED BE THE GOVERNOR LAST WEEK.

THIS WAS THE LAST DAY BEFORE SIGNING DAY, THE FINAL DAY OF THE GEORGIA 2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION ON WEDNESDAY.

THE CLOCK IS TICKING DOWN TO GET THROUGH DOZENS OF BILLS EVEN TONIGHT.

BUT SB-202, THE SWEEPING BILL TO MAKE CHANGES TO GEORGIA'S ELECTIONS LAW CONTINUES TO MAKE CHANGES.

ALSO, AMONG THE MANY BILLS TO GAIN APPROVAL TODAY, CRACKING DOWN ON STREET RACING AND ALLOWING ALCOHOL TO GO FROM RESTAURANT.

WE ALSO SAW MOVEMENT ON THE CRITICAL HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION, SEVERAL BILLS.

WE'LL TALK TO OUR GUESTS TONIGHT ABOUT THAT.

AND WE'LL LOOK AT THE BILLS TO PAY GEORGIA'S COLLEGE ATHLETES FOR THINGS SUCH AS THE USE OF THEIR IMAGE OR LIKENESS.

A HARD WORKING CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT BRENDA WATERS JOINS US WITH ME.

THEY'RE STILL AT IT OVER THERE TONIGHT, AREN'T THEY?

>> IT IS A BUSY PLACE.

I HAVE NEVER HEARD IT THIS BUSY.

YEAH, THINGS ARE STILL GOING ON HERE.

BUT EARLIER TODAY THERE WAS STILL MORE FALL-OUT FROM SENATE BILL 202.

THAT IS THE ELECTION BILL THAT SENATOR KEMP SIGNED INTO LAW LAST THURSDAY.

SECURITY WAS TIGHT WITH EXTRA POLICE OFFICERS HERE.

I STOOD IN LINES WITH OTHERS FOR SEVERAL MINUTES JUST TO GET INSIDE THE BUILDING.

THE REACTION TO THE ARREST SPREAD TO THE SENATE FLOOR THIS MORNING.

REPRESENTATIVE CANNON WALKED INTO THE CAPITOL WITH HER OWN SUPPORTERS.

SHE WAS QUIET AND RESERVED, UNLIKE LAST THURSDAY OUTSIDE THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

SHE WAS ARRESTED, BOOKED AND SPENT THE NIGHT IN JAIL.

THIS MORNING HER SUPPORTERS AND HER CRITICS SPOKE FROM THE WELL ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

>> WHAT WAS THE ONEROUS SIN?

I'M HERE TODAY TO STAND FOR PARK CANNON, TO STAND FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE PARK CANNON AND TO DEPLORE THE TREATMENT THAT SHE RECEIVED AT THE HANDS OF THE GEORGIA STATE TROOPERS.

>> ALL YOU HAD WAS A REPRESENTATIVE, AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, GOING UP KNOCKING ON THE DOOR OF ANOTHER ELECTED OFFICIAL TO ASK A QUESTION ABOUT THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY WITH SIGNING THIS BILL.

HOW I UNDERSTAND IT, TRADITION IS FOR HIM TO SIGN THE BILL PUBLICALLY.

>> SAID A LAWSUIT WAS FILED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE GOVERNOR SIGNED SB-202.

HE VOWED THERE WILL BE A FIGHT.

>> SO LET'S GET IT STRAIGHT.

WE GOT OUR DIFFERENCES.

YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT HAPPENED IN THE ELECTION RESULTS.

WE DO.

AND WE GONNA KEEP PUSHING FAR, LIKE I TOLD YOU LAST TIME.

IT'S GONNA BE A FIGHT.

YOU'RE ASKING FOR IT, YOU'RE GOING TO GET A FIGHT.

>> SENATE BILL 202 HAS BEEN CALLED JIM CROW IN A SUIT AND JIM CROW 2.0.

>> THIS IS NOT JIM CROW.

NOBODY IS GETTING LYNCHED FOR GOING TO VOTE.

>> SENATOR RANDY ROBINSON SAYS REPRESENTATIVE CANNON MADE THE SITUATION ALL ABOUT HERSELF.

>> SADLY WHAT THEY DIDN'T SEE WAS THE MORNING WHERE SHE WENT TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE PRIOR TO THAT BANGING ON THE DOOR.

THEY DIDN'T SEE ALL THAT.

THEY DIDN'T SEE WHAT HAPPENED IN THE ROOM WHILE SHE WAS BEATING ON THE DOOR BECAUSE THIS WAS NOT MEANT TO BE SEEN.

THIS IS ALL PUBLICITY.

>> AND THE ACTION ON THE SENATE FLOOR CONTINUED AS SENATORS WENT ON TO PASS A LOT OF BILLS TODAY.

A NEW GUN BILL.

HOUSE BILL 218 PASSED BY SUBSTITUTE WITH AN AMENDMENT.

THE BILL HAS SEVEN SECTIONS.

IT WAS PRESENTED BY SENATE HATCHET.

>> THIS HAS BEEN A CONCERTED EFFORT WITH HOUSE MEMBERS AND GOVERNOR'S STAFF.

I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT THIS BILL WILL PROTECT THE SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF GEORGIA.

>> THIS ADDS MORE GUNS TO OUR OVERARMED AND OVERWEAPONIZED SOCIETY.

AMERICANS AREN'T MORE VIOLENT THAN PEOPLE BORN IN OTHER COUNTRIES.

BUT WE DO HAVE A LOT MORE GUNS.

>> HOUSE BILL 534 ALSO PASSED THE SENATE.

HB-534 CRACKS DOWN ON THOSE ORGANIZING STREET RACING WITH TOUGHER PENALTIES FOR ANYONE INVOLVED.

THE BILL HEADS TO THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS SIGNATURE.

>>> WELL, A NEED FOR SPEED WON'T FLY RIGHT NOW IN GEORGIA'S JUSTICE SYSTEM EITHER.

SENATE BILL 163 GOT ITS FINAL PASSAGE IN THE SENATE TODAY.

THAT BILL CONTINUES THE SUSPENSION OF THE RIGHT TO A SPEEDY TRIAL AFTER THE JUDICIAL STATE OF EMERGENCY ENDS.

THE BILL PASSED 50-2 AND NOW GOES TO THE GOVERNOR.

>>> IN THE HOUSE CHAMBER, SEVERAL BILLS PASSED TODAY AS WELL.

NOW THAT WILL NOW GO TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK FOR SIGNATURE.

THE HOUSE WAS IN THE SPIRIT AS REPRESENTATIVE CASEY CARPENTER REPRESENTED SENATE BILL 236.

REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER OFFERED ONE SOLUTION TO HELP REVIVE THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY, WHICH HAS SUFFERED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> CURRENTLY RESTAURANTS CAN SELL BEER AND WINE TO GO.

THIS BILL SEEKS TO ADD MIXED DRINKS TO THIS.

IT GIVES ROOM FOR LOCALS TO CONTROL IT IF THEY DECIDE THEY DON'T WANT IT.

THERE ARE SAFETY PARAMETERS AROUND THE AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL IN EACH DRINK, THE NUMBER OF DRINKS PER EACH ENTREE AS WELL AS WHERE THE ALCOHOL SHOULD BE STORED IN THE VEHICLE WHILE TAKING IT HOME.

>> IT PASSED 120-48.

ANOTHER FAVORITE IS HOUSE BILL 146 AND FOR GOOD REASON.

HOUSE BILL 146 IS PAID PARENTAL LEAVE LEGISLATION FOR STATE WORKERS.

THE BILL PROVIDES THREE WEEKS OF PAID PARENTAL LEAVE TO 250,000 STATE, PUBLIC SCHOOL AND PUBLIC UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES FOR CHILDBIRTH, ADOPTING OR FOSTERING A NEW CHILD.

THE BILL PASSED 153-8 AND GOT A STANDING OVATION IN THE HOUSE.

>> WE NOW HAVE PASSAGE OF A PARENTAL LEAVE ACT IN GEORGIA.

>> AND SENATE BILL 105 PASSED IN THE HOUSE.

169-2.

THIS IS THE BILL THAT PROVIDES A CLEAR PATH TO GET OFF PROBATION.

THERE ARE MORE THAN 200,000 GEORGIANS RIGHT NOW ON PROBATION.

SENATE MATT BRASS WAS VERY EMOTIONAL WHEN HE WENT TO THE WELL THIS MORNING.

HE SAID HE DID NOT WANT TO TALK ABOUT SENATE BILL 202.

HE DID NOT WANT TO TALK ABOUT GUNS.

HE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT REAL PEOPLE, ABOUT FOLKS WHO LIVE IN HIS DISTRICT WHERE THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF HEARTBREAK THERE AFTER A TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN THERE THURSDAY NIGHT.

>> AND I'M EMOTIONAL TODAY BECAUSE I KNOW THAT REALITY IS SETTING IN TODAY FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE LOST THEIR HOMES.

THEY HAVE LOST THEIR VALUABLES.

THEY HAVE LOST PIECES OF THEIR LIVES.

>> AND, DONNA, BACK TO YOU.

THAT IS MY CAPITOL REPORT.

>> LOTS AND LOTS GOING ON.

THANKS, BRENDA.

>>> WE'RE GOING TO TALK HEALTH-RELATED LEGISLATION RIGHT NOW.

THE LEGISLATURE IS STILL IN SESSION RIGHT NOW AS WE SPEAK AS WE START THE SHOW.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO GO BACK TO THE CAPITOL TO INTERVIEW A FEW OF THE LAWMAKERS WHO WILL LEAVE THE ACTION TO COME TALK TO US.

JOINING US IS ANDY MILLER.

I'M SO GLAD YOU ARE HERE.

LOTS OF THINGS WITH HEALTH THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

LET'S TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT PASSED TODAY.

IT HAD TO DO WITH GUN RIGHTS.

TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT WAS ABOUT.

>> WELL, THE TIMING OF IT, OBVIOUSLY, DONNA, WAS DIFFICULT BECAUSE YOU HAD THOSE TWO MASS SHOOTINGS, ONE IN GEORGIA, ONE IN COLORADO.

BUT ESSENTIALLY THE BILL IS TO PROTECT SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS ACCORDING TO THE SPONSORS.

IT WOULD ALLOW PEOPLE TO HAVE THAT SAME PERMISSION HERE IN GEORGIA.

IT WOULD PREVENT A GOVERNOR FROM TAKING GUNS AND AMMUNITIONS AWAY IN CASES OF EMERGENCIES LIKE WE HAVE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

IT WOULD ALSO PREVENT A GOVERNOR OR OFFICIALS FROM CLOSING OR LIMITING THE HOURS OF SHOOTING RANGES.

IT WOULD ALLOW PROBATE COURTS TO TAKE APPLICATIONS FOR GUN CARRY PERMITS ONLINE AND IN THE MAIL.

AND SO THE PROPONENTS ARE SAYING THIS IS A SECOND AMENDMENT BILL.

WE WANT TO PROTECT CITIZENS RIGHTS.

>> AND IT ALSO PROTECTS GEORGIANS WHEN THEY GO TO OTHER STATES WHEN THEY HAVE THEIR GUNS TOO, RIGHT?

>> CORRECT, YES.

>> WE WILL TALK WITH YOU MORE IN THE MORNING -- IN A MOMENT, NOT IN THE MORNING.

LIVE FROM THE CAPITOL NOW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WELL, I KNOW ONE OF THE THINGS YOU WANTED TO TALK ABOUT WAS THE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE ACT AND ACA OR OBAMACARE AS SOME PEOPLE CALL IT.

YOU FEEL THERE IS A SHIFT IN OPPOSITION FROM GETTING RID OF IT COMPLETELY TO TRYING TO MAKE PARTS OF IT WORK.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> WELL, IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, YOU KNOW, WITH WHAT'S HAPPENED UNFORTUNATELY WITH COVID LAST YEAR, WE HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT WHAT THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT DOES OVER AND SOME OF THE THINGS PROPOSED IN THE BIDEN LAW THAT'S BEEN JUST PASSED THAT ALLOWS A LOT MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO, HERE IN GEORGIA, TO EXPAND MEDICAID FULLY.

BUT NOT ONLY EXPAND MEDICAID FULLY, BUT TO LOOK AT THOSE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO GET THEIR HEALTH CARE THROUGH HEALTHCARE.GOV, THE WAYS IN WHICH THEY CAN DO THAT, EXPAND THAT, THE SUBSIDIES WILL BASICALLY BE ELIMINATED FOR MOST PEOPLE BELOW THE 400% POVERTY LEVEL.

IF SOMEONE LOST THEIR JOB OR HAS REDUCED HOURS AND THEY'RE NOW ON COBRA, THEIR FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THAT IS 100% FREE.

I THINK THERE IS LOTS OF WAYS TO LOOK FOR THOSE OPPORTUNITIES INSTEAD OF THE WAIVER MODELS THAT HAVE BEEN PROPOSED, ESPECIALLY THE 1332 WAIVER WHEN WE THINK OF THOSE.

THE 1115 IS ABOUT THE MEDICAID EXPANSION.

THE 1332 HAS MORE TO DO WITH THE MECHANISM IN WHICH HEALTH CARE IS OBTAINED INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR GEORGIANS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> WELL, WE KNOW THE GOVERNORS WAIVERS THAT YOU SPOKE ABOUT WERE STILL IN LIMBO.

I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR OH ONE OF YOUR BILLS.

YOU'RE A SPONSOR OF HB-215 ABOUT THE USE OF TELEHEALTH FOR MEDICAID.

IS TELEHEALTH A WAY TO CONVINCE OPPONENTS THAT THE EXPANSION COULD SAVE SOME MONEY?

>> I THINK NOT ONLY CAN IT SAVE MONEY.

YOU COULD ALSO WITH TELEHEALTH, IT IS A MODEL THAT COULD DEFINITELY PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS TO PATIENTS ACROSS GEORGIA.

MY PREVIOUS SLIDES WITH THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, I LOOKED AT WAYS TO DELIVER CARE AND CARDIOVASCULAR MODELS.

A LOT OF IT WE WERE DOING THAT IN AN AMBULANCE SOMEONE COULD CALL UP A SPECIALIST AND DIAGNOSE A PATIENT WITH A STROKE TO KNOW WHAT HOSPITAL THEY NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO.

THAT WAS ON THE PHONE AT THE TIME.

YOU COULD HAVE ALL KINDS OF APPOINTMENTS.

THERE IS AN ENTIRE SYSTEM SET UP IN GEORGIA ALREADY IN EXISTENCE PAID FOR BY THE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT THAT I DON'T THINK IS USED 100%.

BUT THAT BRINGS NOT ONLY SPECIALTIES BUT COULD ALSO BRING JUST GENERAL CARE.

AND I THINK THE GENERAL PUBLIC HAS BECOME WITH THIS YEAR MORE ACCEPTING OF TELEHEALTH, A CONCEPT THAT YOUR DOCTOR CAN GIVE YOU GOOD CARE EVEN THOUGH HE MAY NOT BE PHYSICALLY IN THE ROOM WITH YOU.

DOCTOR, ADVANCED PRACTITIONERS, ANY OF THE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PRACTITIONERS.

>> YEAH.

>> SO WHEN I THINK OF COST -- >> GO AHEAD.

>> NO.

I -- YOU KNOW, WHEN I THINK OF THE COST CONCEPT, A LOT OF TELEHEALTH YOU HAVE TO HAVE THAT INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH A LOT OF YOUR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS HAVE IT BECAUSE WE NEEDED TO BUILD THAT FOR THE PANDEMIC TREATMENT MODEL.

SO IT'S THERE.

SO I DO THINK THERE ARE WAYS IN WHICH WE DO HAVE TO FAIRLY REIMBURSE PRACTITIONERS FOR THE TELEHEALTH SERVICES.

YOU SAW WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

REIMBURSEMENTS IN THE MEDICARE/MEDICAID WERE INCREASED FOR TELEHEALTH SERVICES.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT CONTINUE.

THAT'S PART OF MY BILL.

AND THEN ALSO THAT HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS COULD ALSO CHARGE WHAT'S CALLED A FACILITY -- I HATE TO CALL IT A FEE.

BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, YOU MAY NOT BE GOING TO A BRICK AND MORTAR OFFICE, BUT THEY DO HAVE TO HAVE A SECURE SYSTEM THAT YOU CALL IN ON, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS, THE WAYS IN WHICH THEY KEEP AND RECORD THE VISITS.

>> A LOT TO TELEHEALTH.

AND IT IS THE FUTURE NOW.

LIKE WE'RE IN IT RIGHT NOW.

I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH, REPRESENTATIVE, FOR JOINING US.

AND I KNOW YOU WANT TO GET BACK IN THERE AND SEE THE ACTION.

SO I APPRECIATE YOUR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>>> WELL, THERE WAS A TELEHEALTH BILL, NOT THE ONE SHE TALKED ABOUT BUT ANOTHER ONE THAT PASSED TODAY.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> IT PASSED IN THE SENATE.

IT IS A HOUSE BILL THAT ESSENTIALLY REQUIRES INSURERS TO REIMBURSE FOR TELEHEALTH VISITS FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH.

WE KNOW THAT ONE GOOD THING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC -- THERE WAS PLENTY OF BAD.

BUT ONE GOOD THING IS THE INCREASE IN TELEHEALTH SERVICES, NOT JUST FOR MENTAL HEALTH BUT OTHER CONDITIONS AS WELL.

>> AND THEN THE UNDERSTANDING THAT BROAD BAND IS SO IMPORTANT FOR THAT.

SO THE PUSH FOR BROADBAND HAS BEEN GREATER BECAUSE OF THAT.

>> AND THAT'S GOING TO HELP HEALTH CARE IN RURAL AREAS TREMENDOUSLY.

>> LET'S TALK ANOTHER BILL THAT PASSED TODAY.

TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT IS IN TERMS OF ORGAN DONATIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

>> WELL, IT IS A HOUSE BILL THAT PREVENT AN INSURER OR PROVIDER FROM DENYING AN ORGAN TRANSPLANT FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS A DISABILITY.

NAMED AFTER GRACY, WHO WAS A YOUNG CHILD WHO HAS DOWN SYNDROME AND A HEART DETECT.

AND HER PARENTS TOOK UP THIS CAUSE BECAUSE THEY REALIZED WHEN SHE HAD HEART SURGERY THAT THERE MIGHT BE A PROBLEM WITH HER IF SHE NEEDED A HEART TRANSPLANT AT THE END OF THAT.

AND, SO, IT WAS PROPOSED A YEAR AGO, BUT THE PANDEMIC KIND OF CUTOFF ITS PATH TO PASSAGE.

AND TODAY IT PASSED IN THE SENATE.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE SUPPORTING THAT ONE.

>> YES.

>> THANK YOU.

WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO THE CAPITOL AGAIN.

AND JOINING US IS REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE MARTIN NEWTON OF AUGUSTA.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US, CHAIRMAN.

>> GREAT TO BE WITH YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> LET'S START WITH THE RIGHT TO VISIT BILL.

IT'S LIKELY HEADED TO A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

EXPLAIN THAT.

>> WELL, IT WAS A GREAT BILL.

IT IS A GREAT BILL.

WE DID A LOT OF WORK ON IT TO MAKE SURE.

WE HAVE HEARD FROM REALLY THOUSANDS OF PATIENTS AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES FROM ACROSS GEORGIA, AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT PEOPLE HAVE A CHALLENGE WHEN THEY'RE IN THE HOSPITAL.

A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE ARE DEBILITATED.

MAYBE THEY HAVE AN OXYGEN MASK ON OR A CPAP AND THEY NEED SOMEONE TO HELP MAKE THEIR MEDICAL DECISIONS INCLUDING WHETHER TO STAY IN THE HOSPITAL OR WHETHER TO TAKE A PARTICULAR SURGERY OR ANYTHING ELSE.

SO WE HAVE LOOKED AT THAT.

WE LOOKED AT IT CAREFULLY AND HOUSE BILL 290.

WE PUT TOGETHER A VERY CIRCUMSPECT, A VERY NARROW BILL THAT WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THOSE AND GIVE THEM THE HELP THEY NEED.

>> NOW, A COUPLE OF HOSPITALS, OBVIOUSLY LOTS OF HOSPITALS, RAISED A QUESTION ABOUT CAN THIS BE SAFE?

CAN WE DO THIS SAFELY.

THE GOOD NEWS IS IT'S BEEN DONE SAFELY IN HOSPITALS IN GEORGIA FOR OVER A YEAR THROUGH THE ENTIRE PANDEMIC.

THERE'S BEEN A VISITOR OR AN INDIVIDUAL, A LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE LIKE THIS BILL TALKS ABOUT WITH ALL OF OUR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS AT THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN ATLANTA THAT DOES A GREAT JOB OVER IN MY AREA AND AUGUSTA.

THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IT IN A WAY THAT PROTECTS THE STAFF, WHICH IS IMPORTANT.

BUT IT ALSO PROTECTS OTHER PATIENTS.

BUT IT ALSO RECOGNIZES THAT -- THAT MINORS, IN THIS CASE, NEED SOMEONE TO HELP THEM MAKE LEGAL DECISIONS TO MAKE MEDICAL DECISIONS.

WE JUST WANT THAT TO BE THE CASE FOR ALL GEORGIANS.

NOT 24 HOURS A DAY BUT FOR 60 MINUTES A DAY FOLLOWING REASONABLE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS JUST LIKE THEY WOULD DO FOR THE PARENT OF A CHILD.

WE WOULD LIKE THE HOSPITALS TO OFFER THAT SO ALL PATIENTS KNOW WHEN YOU ARE SICK.

WHEN YOU ARE INJURED, WHEN YOU ARE EVEN WORRIED ABOUT DYING YOU CAN HAVE SOMEONE FOR 60 MINUTES A DAY WITH SAFETY PROTOCOLS IN PLACE WHO CAN BE THERE FOR YOU TO BE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT PROTECTS THE HOSPITAL'S CERTIFICATION.

WE MADE SURE ABOUT THAT.

I SPEND MY ENTIRE CAREER AS AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN INSIDE THE WALLS OF A HOSPITAL.

WE DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING THAT WOULD HURT THAT, AND THIS BILL DOES NOT.

WE DO NEED THIS BILL TO COME BACK, THOUGH.

IT'S PRETTY MUCH GOT DELETED IN COMMITTEE IN THE SENATE.

AND, SO, THAT'S THE BILL THAT'S BEEN PASSED OVER IN THE SENATE, SENT BACK TO US.

WE HOPE TO SENT BACK A BETTER VERSION THAT ACTUALLY TRULY MAKES A DIFFERENCE INSTEAD OF A SHELL OF A BILL THEY SENT US.

WE WANT TO SEND ONE BACK.

NOT FOR VISITORS BUT FOR A LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE 60 MINUTES OUT OF 24 HOURS THAT YOU KNOW IT'S THERE JUST FOR YOU.

>> YEAH.

YOU HAVE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO TODAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY ON THIS.

WE'LL KEEP UP THE DATE ON THAT.

I WANT TO ADD A BILL OF YOURS THAT PASSED TODAY.

HB-454 WHICH SAYS IF YOU BUY INSURANCE DURING OPEN ENROLLMENT, YOU CAN KEEP AT LEAST FOR SIX MONTHS A DOCTOR THAT MAY BE DROPPED.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT.

>> WELL, WE THOUGHT THIS WAS AN IMPORTANT BILL IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS.

GEORGIA HAS A FAIR BUSINESSES PRACTICE ACT.

I WOULD CALL IT THE ANTI-BAIT AND SWITCH ACT.

IF YOU SEE IT ADVERTISED, THEY WILL PUT A STOCK NUMBER IN THAT AD BECAUSE THEY ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THAT AVAILABLE AT THAT PRICE.

WELL, GEORGIA FAMILIES ACROSS THIS STATE FOR OVER $10,000 A YEAR BUY HEALTH INSURANCE EVERY YEAR.

THEY OFTEN DO IT DURING OPEN ENROLLMENT.

THEY LOOK CAREFULLY AT THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS THEY MAY HAVE THROUGH THEIR EMPLOYER AND THEN THEY PICK ONE.

A LOT OF TIMES THEY PICK IT BASED ON THE PROVIDERS THEY WANT.

OBSTETRICIAN, CANCER CARE OR MAYBE A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

WHAT THIS BILL WILL DO IS TO ENSURE THAT IF AN INSURER WHO ADVERTISED THESE AS IN NETWORK DURING OPEN ENROLLMENT WHEN YOU HAD TO PICK FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR, IF THEY CANCEL A PROVIDER OF ANY SORT THAT YOU, AS THE PATIENT, WILL CONTINUE TO GET CARE FROM THAT PROVIDER FOR SIX MONTHS FOLLOWING.

AND YOU GET TO DO IT AT IN NETWORK RATES, NOT AT THE OUT OF NETWORK RATES WITH HIGHER COPAYS AND DEDUCTIBLES THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED IF THE INSURER JUST CANCELED THEM.

YOU GET TO DO IT AT IN NETWORK RATES AND THE DOCTORS AND PROVIDERS AGREE TO ACCEPT AN IN NETWORK RATE.

IT'S A WAY TO PROTECT THEM WHEN THESE LARGE DECISIONS ARE MADE, PESHLSLY WHEN THEY'RE PAYING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR FOR SOMETHING.

WE THINK THEY DESERVE THAT AT THE VERY LEAST.

>> THOSE IN NETWORK RATES ARE ESSENTIAL FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING OUT OF THE SESSION, TALKING WITH US AND GIVING US AN UPDATE.

I KNOW YOU WANT TO GET BACK IN THERE.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> GREAT TO BE WITH YOU.

THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU ALL DO.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

THAT IS IMPORTANT.

PEOPLE HAVE HAD IT OPEN WHERE IN THE MIDDLE OF EVERYTHING THEY HAVE ALREADY SIGNED UP FOR INSURANCE BUT THEN THE DOCTOR IS DROPPED AND YOU DON'T KNOW -- AND THEN YOU HAVE TO GO TO OUT OF NETWORK AND PAY A LOT MORE.

>> YOU CAN IMAGINE SOMEONE THAT'S PREGNANT AND THAT OBSTETRICIAN GETS DROPPED FROM THE NETWORK.

YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT RELATIONSHIP, DOCTOR/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS SO IMPORTANT TO MANY PEOPLE.

AND I THINK THIS IS A BILL THAT WILL PROTECT PATIENTS WHO SIGN UP FOR A PARTICULAR NETWORK AND A PARTICULAR PROVIDER.

AND THAT PERSON IS DROPPED.

THIS WILL ALLOW THEM TO KEEP THAT COVERAGE FOR A WHILE.

IN NETWORK RATES.

IF YOU ARE OUT OF NETWORK, YOU CAN PAY HUNDREDS, SOMETIMES THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS MORE.

>> IT'S QUITE A BIT MORE.

>>> WE WILL TALK MORE HEALTH NEWS WITH YOU WHEN WE COME BACK FROM THE BREAK.

BUT WE'RE ALSO GOING TO TALK ABOUT SHOULD COLLEGE ATHLETES IN GEORGIA PROFIT FROM THEIR NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS?

YOU'RE WATCHING LAWMAKERS ON GPB.

"LAWMAKERS" ON GPB.

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "LAWMAKERS" ON GPB.

WE HAVE SEEN A SHIFT FROM THE NCAA THAT MEANS COLLEGE ATHLETES ARE CLOSER TO GETTING PAID.

WELCOME SO MUCH.

THANKS FOR COMING OUT TO TALK WITH US.

CHAIRMAN MARTIN, LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR BILL HB-617.

IF IT BECOMES LAW, GEORGIA'S COLLEGE ATHLETES MAY RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR THE USE OF THEIR NAME, THEIR IMAGE AND LIKENESS.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT OTHER STATES ARE DOING.

TELL US ABOUT IT.

>> YEAH.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT OTHER STATES ARE DOING.

AND TO BE CLEAR, JUST PASSING THE BILL ITSELF WILL NOT ALLOW THE ATHLETES TO GET PAID.

THE STUDENT ATHLETES WOULD BE IN A POSITION TO BE EDUCATED, TO GET CLASSES FROM THEIR UNIVERSITY.

THE BILL HAS MANY THINGS TO PROTECT THE STUDENT ATHLETE.

BUT IS REALLY A TRIGGER BILL AT THE STATE LEVEL AND WE'LL BE WAITING ON THE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, SOMETHING IN CONGRESS, TO GET A NATIONAL PLAY BOOK, IF YOU WILL, FOR A BIT OF A PLAY ON WORDS TO IMPLEMENT THIS FOR OUR STUDENT ATHLETES.

WE JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE IN GEORGIA THAT OUR STUDENT ATHLETES WERE PREPARED WHEN IT COMES AROUND SO THAT NOBODY CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM AND SO THAT WHEN OR IF THIS COMES INTO AMATEUR ATHLETICS, OUR STUDENT ATHLETES WOULD BE POSITIONED WELL.

>> THE MONEY WOULDN'T COME DIRECTLY FROM THE COLLEGES, RIGHT?

>> NO.

THE MONEY -- WELL, WE DON'T SEE THE MONEY COMING FROM THE COLLEGES DIRECTLY.

IN FACT, THE BILL SPEAKS TO, YOU KNOW, A REASONABLE STANDARD FOR WHAT THE COMPENSATION WOULD BE.

BUT THAT, TOO, IS GOING TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE NCAA, NIA, THE NATIONAL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION PROBABLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH A FEDERAL LAW TO DECIDE EXACTLY HOW THAT WOULD WORK.

BUT THE IDEA IS TO INSULATE THE STUDENT ATHLETES FROM ANY INDUE INFLUENCE RELATED TO THIS AND STILL ALLOW THEM TO BE COMPENSATED.

>> WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD FROM THE COLLEGES IN GEORGIA?

>> WELL, IT'S A BIT INTERESTING.

I THINK ALL OF THE COLLEGES, THE COACHES AND THE ATHLETIC DIRECTORS CERTAINLY WANT THEIR ATHLETES, THEIR STUDENT ATHLETES, TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.

THEY WANT THEM TO BE IN A POSITION THAT, YOU KNOW, IF THIS COMES FORWARD THAT THEIR ATHLETES WILL NOT BE BEHIND.

BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO REALIZE THESE ATHLETIC DIRECTORS AND SOME OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITIES, OUR COACHES OR MEMBERS OF THE NCAA.

SO THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET TOO FAR IN FRONT OF THE NCAA.

THEY WILL ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN.

BUT THEY, I THINK -- I THINK IT IS SAFE TO SAY THERE ARE COLLEGES AND ATHLETIC DIRECTORS IN ALL POST SECONDARY EDUCATIONS WHICH INCLUDE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC WANT OUR ATHLETES TO BE POSITIONED WELL SO THAT THEY CAN BE TAKEN CARE OF SHOULD THIS PASS AT A NATIONAL LEVEL AND AT THE ASSOCIATION LEVEL.

>> WELL, WE'LL CERTAINLY KEEP AN EYE ON IT.

I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH, CHAIRMAN MARTIN, FOR TALKING WITH US TONIGHT.

>> YOU BET.

>> ALL RIGHT, ANDY.

I WANT TO SWITCH GEARS AS WE WRAP UP HERE.

ONE OF THE BIG THINGS WE HAVE STILL BEEN LOOKING AT IS CAMS.

THAT IS TO HAVE HIDDEN VERSUS PUBLIC CAMERAS IN NURSING HOMES.

IT IS LONG-TERM CARE FACIIIES.

>> RIGHT.

HOUSE BILL 605 IS STILL UP IN THE AIR AS WE SPEAK.

IT IS A BILL THAT BASICALLY CREATES RULES AND PROTOCOLS FOR OPEN CAMERAS IN A NURSING HOME, IN A CERTAIN ROOM JUST, YOU KNOW, GETTING ROOMMATES' PERMISSION, HAVING SIGNS THAT THEY THIS IS BEING FILMED.

THERE IS A CAMERA IN THIS ROOM.

BUT THERE ARE ADVOCATES FOR SENIORS WHO SAY THAT ACCORDING TO THE WAY THE BILL IS WRITTEN, IT WILL TAKE SOME RIGHTS AWAY IN CIVIL LAWSUITS TO USE HIDDEN CAMERA FOOTAGE IN CIVIL LAWSUITS AND ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS.

THAT CAUSED A CLOSED VOTE 7-6.

SO THERE IS TALK ABOUT WILL THEY HAVE ENOUGH VOTES TO PASS IT ON THE SENATE FLOOR?

>> RIGHT NOW ORGANIZATIONS LIKE AARP AND SOME -- >> COUNCIL ON AGING THEY BOTH OPPOSE THE BILL BECAUSE THEY THINK IT TAKES AWAY SOME RIGHTS OF FAMILIES TO GO AFTER, LET'S SAY, A FACILITY FOR NEGLIGENT OR ABUSE.

>> OKAY.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP AN EYE ON HOW THAT IS DOING.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

I'M GLAD SOMEBODY WAS ON HERE TONIGHT.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

PLEASE JOIN US WEDNESDAY FOR OUR FINAL DAY OF "LAWMAKERS" IN OUR ONE-HOUR LONG SHOW.

GOOD NIGHT.