In metro Atlanta, emergency health care access has become a significant concern due to the recent closure of several hospitals. U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff has announced plans to address this issue by delivering Federal resources to the Atlanta Regional Commission for an Emergency Health Care Transportation Access Study. The study aims to identify disparities in emergency health care access in the metro Atlanta area and help more families receive the care they need.
Through a bipartisan effort, Sen. Ossoff was able to secure $543,000 for this project in this year’s government funding package. He hopes that by bringing Republicans and Democrats together, he can accelerate progress towards ensuring that all metro Atlanta families have access to emergency health care when they need it most. He expressed gratitude to Mayor Andre Dickens and ARC Executive Director & CEO Anna Roach for their collaboration and leadership in bringing this proposal to his office.
Mayor Dickens, who is also the ARC Board Chair, emphasized the importance of addressing health care access disparities in the Atlanta region. He stated that access can vary significantly depending on one’s ZIP code and that this study is a crucial first step in providing the necessary data to make informed decisions that can ultimately save lives.
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. By working together, Sen. Ossoff, Mayor Dickens, and Ms. Roach hope to ensure that all metro Atlanta families have access to the emergency health care they need when they need it most.
