Georgia legislators heard from cancer experts Wednesday as a part of an effort to study the disease this simmer in an attempt to reduce the rate. Dr. Jorge Cortes, director of the Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University says Georgia is above the national average when it comes to the occurrence of cancer.
At prior hearings of the House Study Committee on Cancer Care Access in May and June, they learned that cancer care is hard to come by in rural areas, as the medical payments system squeezes smaller service providers. Rising costs and inadequate transportation contribute to lack of access to care. Lawmakers heard repeatedly about how medical industry consolidation is exacerbating lack of access by forcing patients to drive farther to find a specialist.
Rep. Lee Hawkins of Gainesville, the committee’s chairman, said he and other lawmakers are working on drug pricing and other issues. He wrapped up the committee’s listening tour by saying the General Assembly will continue to study cancer care access.
