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Senate
Resolution 1321
By:
Senator Harbison of the 15th
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
and commending the Georgia Free Clinic Network and its member clinics; and for
other purposes.
WHEREAS,
the Georgia Free Clinic Network connects over 100 nonprofit charitable medical
and dental clinics across Georgia serving the over 1.7 million uninsured
Georgians; and
WHEREAS,
charitable clinics are the unseen fabric of the health care safety net in
communities, especially in rural areas, serving those with chronic and
life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, hypertension, and diabetes;
and
WHEREAS,
charitable clinics provide $200 to $400 million of care while only reaching 10
percent of the uninsured population according to the state auditor;
and
WHEREAS,
many uninsured individuals are limited to accessing health care through local
hospital emergency rooms; charitable clinics provide a tremendous saving to
taxpayers and hospitals and also provide a primary care base where patients can
return for routine care; and
WHEREAS,
Georgia's charitable clinics delivered health care services to approximately
200,000 low-income, uninsured Georgians in 2009 with a volunteer workforce of
health care providers and community supporters; and
WHEREAS,
charitable clinics are experiencing increasing demands of 25 to 50 percent over
2009, and despite the growth of patients served, clinics are forced to turn away
an estimated 50,000 Georgians due to lack of capacity; and
WHEREAS,
the majority of charitable clinics do not accept government funds, and are
funded by individuals, churches, civic groups, and foundations;
and
WHEREAS, the Georgia Free Clinic
Network and the National Association of Free Clinics will conduct a one-day
Communities Are Responding Everyday (C.A.R.E.) clinic in Georgia on March 27,
2010 at the Georgia International Convention Center; and
WHEREAS,
1,800 patients are expected to be served by 1,000 volunteers at the Georgia
C.A.R.E. clinic.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body heartily
commend the Georgia Free Clinic Network and its member clinics for their
unselfish, dedicated, and loving service to the state and its
citizens.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Georgia Free Clinic
Network.