In 2013, six Georgia counties did not have a single physician.
Roughly a decade later – despite targeted state programs to address this problem, such as increased tax credits and loan repayments, state-funded residency slots and the establishment of rural primary care programs at the Mercer School of Medicine and Medical College of Georgia – the number of Georgia counties without a physician had increased to nine.
Unfortunately, the residents of Echols, Taliaferro, Treutlen and Webster counties appeared on both lists.
When it comes to pediatric and maternal health providers, the numbers are even more dire: 82 counties do not have an OB-GYN, and 65 counties do not have a pediatrician. Sadly, this issue is not confined to sparsely populated areas – at least a portion of 149 of the state’s 159 counties are designated as a Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area by state and federal agencies.
What steps can policymakers take to address this physician shortage?
We look at that in this week’s commentary. We also have the latest news and analysis from the last week, including:
- Gov. Kemp issues state of emergency for Hurricane Milton
- Georgians to vote on three statewide referendums
- Georgia Match direct college admissions program enters second year
- Georgia issues permits to pump millions of gallons of water daily to Hyundai complex
Have a great weekend,
– Kyle Wingfield
Friday’s Freshest
The Georgia Public Policy Foundation has released its 2024 “Guide to the Issues,” in which we summarize the policy areas most central to our work and most important to the people of Georgia. Each issue page offers a policy summary and gives the Foundation’s recommendations for effective solutions.
Read: Guide to the Issues
The brave souls that step into chaotic situations to restore order
Hurricane Helene left a wide scar centered on a line running from Valdosta to Augusta. The pictures from news reports and social media were devastating: uprooted trees, downed utility lines and scattered bits of buildings that once fit together. But amid the loss – which was still being discovered and tallied in parts of Georgia – what is certain is the gratitude we owe those brave souls who step out into these chaotic situations to restore order.
Also: Help support Hurricane Helene relief efforts in Georgia
Rethinking transportation for Georgia’s K-12 schools
There is a disparity among Georgia schools when it comes to transporting students to and from their homes. Rural areas with sparse populations deal with long ride times, urban areas frequently have overcrowded school buses, and a nationwide shortage of bus drivers affects everyone. In addition, the transportation for Georgia’s public schools and public charter schools is also regulated differently.
Where are people in Georgia moving?
People vote with their feet, as numerous studies about migration among the states have shown. But they don’t only do this by crossing state lines. The IRS publishes data every year about migration not only from state to state, but from county to county. The nonpartisan Tax Foundation analyzed the most recent data, which cover people who filed taxes in one jurisdiction in 2021 and another in 2022. What it found about Georgia’s counties is illuminating.
Georgia’s childcare providers say out of control lawsuits could put them out of business
Members of Georgia’s childcare industry say it’s increasingly difficult to find companies that will insure them. Given Georgia’s high demand for professional childcare services, most people might naturally guess the industry is in no danger of going away. But there actually is a danger. A rise in lawsuits and excessive judgments are making insurance for childcare providers too expensive or too difficult to find.
The Latest
Economy
Here’s how Delta performed in the third quarter, CrowdStrike outage and all
Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines’ July meltdown triggered by the CrowdStrike outage took a chunk out of the carrier’s third quarter results, but Delta still managed to post a $1.27 billion profit during a busy summer season. In the July-September quarter, Delta brought in $15.7 billion in revenue, up 1% from the third quarter last year. Delta’s third quarter net income was up 15% compared with the same period a year ago.
Hurricane Helene caused damage to Georgia farming
Between and around Valdosta and Augusta – two of Georgia’s hardest-hit cities from Hurricane Helene – there is a 30-mile-wide path of destruction to agriculture and farmland. Georgia farmers were gearing up to harvest millions of dollars worth of fall crops such as cotton, blueberries, bell peppers and squash.
Georgia issues permits to pump millions of gallons of water daily to Hyundai complex
A week after production commenced at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America near Savannah, state environmental officials on Monday approved permits for four wells eventually expected to send 4 million gallons of water per day to the Bryan County facility. In all, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division permits allow for the withdrawal of as much as 6.6 million gallons per day from the Bulloch County wells.
Education
Georgia Match direct college admissions program enters second year
More than 137,000 Georgia high school seniors will receive a personalized direct college admissions letter this month, as the Georgia Match program begins its second year. Each letter will list the public colleges and universities in Georgia that are holding a spot for the recipient.
What is microschooling? Behind the new kind of education in Warner Robins
Microschooling is a growing alternative to public and private schools. It brings homeschooling families together to learn as a group. The National Microschooling Center reports that about 95,000 microschools nationwide serve over one million students. Latoya Nelson started a microschool in Warner Robins last year.
Making education beyond high school work for all
Higher education serves its intended purpose when the price is affordable, the coursework has labor market relevance, and the students who enroll are prepared to make the most of their education. But college leaves its students worse off when tuition is too high, the degrees have insufficient labor market value, and a high proportion of students fail to graduate.
Government accountability
Kemp hosts final roundtable on litigation reform
Gov. Brian Kemp hosted leaders from Georgia businesses and policymakers today for a roundtable discussion on civil litigation and its impact on the state’s economic wellbeing. This was the final of three roundtable events announced by Governor Kemp for this fall.
Georgia Attorney General joins 22 attorneys general in TikTok investigation
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr joined 22 other attorneys general urging a Tennessee court to enforce its orders requiring TikTok to share and preserve evidence in an ongoing investigation. The coalition of attorneys general began the investigation back in 2022 in order to determine if TikTok’s practices harm children’s and teens’ mental health while also violating state consumer protection laws.
Transportation
After many years as one of the largest and most successful over-the-road bus companies, Megabus recently filed for bankruptcy. The COVID-19 pandemic took a heavy toll on the bus industry, as ridership plummeted. Federal aid was provided to airlines and Amtrak but not to intercity bus companies, which were equally impacted, noted Fred Ferguson, CEO of the American Bus Association.
If green energy is the future, bring a fire extinguisher
Alternative energy is exploding—literally. Lithium battery fires are breaking out on highways and in factories, home garages and storage rooms. The rise in these fires is caused by government efforts to force the adoption of “green” energy. Lithium batteries have high energy density. But when they catch fire, they burn with high heat and can even blow up. That’s why airlines prohibit lithium batteries in checked baggage.
Bonus
Election 2024: Georgia to vote on three statewide referendums
Three statewide ballot measures are in the general election for Georgia voters this fall. Two of them deal with property and tax law, while a third would create a Georgia Tax Court. All three were put forward by the Legislature, the only route for initiating ballot measures. Notably, an amendment to legalize sports betting will not appear on the ballot.
Kemp declares emergency with massive Hurricane Milton
Gov. Brian Kemp issued a state of emergency Tuesday for 38 Georgia counties likely to be affected by Hurricane Milton, a massive storm that made landfall late Wednesday night on Florida’s central west coast.
Georgia ports back in business after strike settlement
The ports of Savannah and Brunswick reopened Friday after the union representing striking dockworkers along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts reached a tentative agreement with the U.S. Maritime Alliance. The settlement deal between the alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies, and the International Longshoremen’s Association suspended the strike until Jan. 15.
Quotes of Note
“The unfortunate reality is our current litigation climate has led to increased costs for consumers and a higher barrier to entry for those who want to create jobs in our state.” – Gov. Brian Kemp
“I congratulate the dockworkers from the ILA, who deserve a strong contract after sacrificing so much to keep our ports open during the pandemic. And I applaud the port operators and carriers who are members of the U.S. Maritime Alliance for working hard and putting a strong offer on the table.” – President Joe Biden
“The Biden administration in 2022 announced $1 billion in grants for electric school buses. If a diesel bus engine catches fire, the driver can usually put it out with a fire extinguisher. But this isn’t possible with electric buses, which explode when they catch fire. Policymakers need to pay more attention to the dangers of the green-energy transition.” – Steve Goreham