The Athens-Clarke County government will organize a public presentation on local affordable healthcare options at a public event on Saturday.
The Human Relations Commission will host a healthcare symposium Saturday afternoon. A number of organizations offering free or affordable healthcare options will present about their services. Morgan Lyle is the vice chair of the Human Relations Commission. She says the symposium is meant to respond to community needs.
“Whenever we’re out at any of the events around town, whether it’s Hot Corner or Halloween Festival, we’re always taking surveys from the community. We’re constantly hearing what the community is having issues with. The two things we hear most are affordable housing, the second is healthcare,” Lyle said.
Lyle says that with regulation changes and funding cuts for health insurance programs at the federal level, she thinks the information will be particularly valuable.
“Our community really does have a lot of resources for people to get accessible and affordable healthcare, even if you’re from the lowest income, if you don’t think it’s affordable, you don’t have insurance, we have a lot of options here, more than I knew,” she said.
The event will be held at the Athens-Clarke County Library from 1 to 3 pm. Experts and community members will discuss healthcare access, women’s health and childcare, and vaccines and screenings.
The Human Relations Commission, a part of Athens-Clarke County Government’s People and Belonging Department, will also collect donations of unopened feminine hygiene products during the event. The Commission seeks to build trust between the local government and its citizens.
