U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff has announced plans to strengthen emergency health care access for families in metro Atlanta by delivering Federal resources to the Atlanta Regional Commission for an Emergency Health Care Transportation Access Study. With several hospitals closing in recent years, the study aims to analyze disparities in emergency health care access in the metro Atlanta area to identify the biggest needs and help more families receive the care they require.
Mayor Andre Dickens, who is also the ARC Board Chair, emphasized the importance of addressing health care access disparities in the Atlanta region, noting that access can vary significantly depending on one’s ZIP code. He stated that this study is a crucial first step in providing the necessary data to make informed decisions that can ultimately save lives.
Through a bipartisan effort, Sen. Ossoff was able to secure $543,000 for this project in this year’s government funding package. By bringing Republicans and Democrats together, he hopes to accelerate progress to ensure that all metro Atlanta families can access emergency health care when they need it most. He expressed gratitude to Mayor Dickens and ARC Executive Director & CEO Anna Roach for their collaboration and leadership in bringing this proposal to his office.
Anna Roach, ARC Executive Director & CEO, highlighted the critical importance of people having access to emergency health services, regardless of where they live. She stressed that in a health emergency like a heart attack or stroke, every minute is crucial and can make a difference between life and death.