U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is focusing on improving emergency health care access for families in metro Atlanta. He has announced that he is allocating Federal resources to the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) for an Emergency Health Care Transportation Access Study. This study aims to analyze the discrepancies in emergency health care access in the metro Atlanta area, especially after the closure of several hospitals in recent years. The goal is to identify the most pressing needs and ensure that more families can receive the necessary care.
Senator Ossoff worked across party lines to secure $543,000 for the project through a bipartisan government funding package. Mayor Andre Dickens and ARC Executive Director & CEO Anna Roach played a key role in bringing this proposal to Senator Ossoff’s attention and providing leadership in the community.
Health care access in the Atlanta region is not consistent, and disparities exist based on ZIP codes. Mayor Dickens, who is also the ARC Board Chair, emphasizes the importance of addressing these inequalities. The Emergency Health Care Transportation Access Study is seen as a pivotal first step in providing the necessary data to make informed decisions that could ultimately save lives.
Anna Roach, the ARC Executive Director & CEO, stresses the critical necessity for people to have easy access to emergency health services, regardless of where they reside. In health emergencies such as heart attacks or strokes, quick access to care can make a significant difference in outcomes. Every minute counts in such situations, as it can be a matter of life and death.
In recent years, several hospitals have closed their doors due to financial difficulties or other reasons, leaving families without access to essential medical services during emergencies.
The study will examine how these closures have affected emergency health care access in metro Atlanta and what measures need to be taken to address them.
Mayor Dickens has been working tirelessly with Senator Ossoff and other community leaders to bring attention to this issue and secure funding for solutions.
“Healthcare is a basic human right,” said Mayor Dickens during a press conference announcing the study’s launch.
“It’s unacceptable that some families are denied access to emergency medical care simply because of their zip code,” he added.
The Emergency Health Care Transportation Access Study will provide valuable data that will help policymakers make informed decisions about how best to improve emergency healthcare access throughout metro Atlanta.
With this new information at their disposal, local officials hope they can find solutions that will ensure everyone has equal access to life-saving medical care when they need it most.
