Day 15 - 2/08/2006

>> Back to Week Four, Feb. 6 - Feb. 10

House Children & Youth Committee Meets; House Begins Serious Work on the 2007 Budget

The House Children & Youth Committee reviewed HR 1039, which would create a study committee to explore feasibility of a children's budget.  Several advocates testified in support of the resolution, including Voices for Georgia's Children, the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute and the Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children.  The Office of the Child Advocate requested that they be added as a representative on the study committee.  This led to discussion about membership in the study committee and how it might be revised.  A motion to create a subcommittee to discuss composition of the study committee's membership was passed, and the subcommittee will bring back recommendations about membership for potential amendments to HR 1039.  Most members of the Children & Youth Committee expressed general support for the resolution.  Bright from the Start Commissioner Marsha Moore presented an overview of the work of the 2005 0-5 Study Committee, including news that the Early Care Comprehensive Services grant had been renewed for an additional 3 years.  Chairman Manning noted that she expects to introduce a resolution which will extend the 0-5 Study Committee for an additional year.  She closed with the announcement that next week's meeting of the Children and Youth Committee would be a bus tour to Christian City in Clayton County.

The House Appropriations Health Subcommittee reviewed the proposed 2007 budget for the Department of Community Health which covers Medicaid, PeachCare, and the State Health Benefit Plan.  The members are very interested in providing dental services to pregnant women, understanding that treating infections and tooth and gum problems can help prevent preterm births.  The estimated cost of the dental services is $7.5 million in state funds.  However, committee members believe that cost would be offset by savings in care for newborns.  DCH will reexamine its cost estimates.  The Ga. Dental Association pointed out that Blue Cross and Blue Shield became the second commercial insurer to provide this benefit to pregnant women and does not charge an additional premium for it.  The subcommittee plans additional meetings to examine the 2007 budget for all its agencies including DHR and Labor.

The Senate Appropriations Community Health Subcommittee meeting on the 2006 Amended Budget was cancelled for lack of a quorum.

Coming Events:

Thursday, February 9th

Senate Appropriations Human Development Subcommittee  8:00 a.m., 310 CLOB – Final 2006 Budget

Department of Community Health Board 12:00 p.m., Capitol Education Center Carl Sanders Fireplace Room

House Health and Human Services Committee  2:00 p.m., 606 CLOB – HB 548 requiring applicants for state-funded health care to provide information on employment

House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Mumford Subcommittee 2:00 p.m. or adjournment 132 CAP – HB 1145 Juvenile Proceedings Mental Health Hearings

Senate Judiciary 3:30 p.m. 307 CLOB – SR 700 Juvenile Law Commission continuation, SB 420 Care of Grandchild pilot

Friday, February 10th 

The General Assembly will be in recess.

Wednesday, February 15th

The House Children & Youth Committee will take a bus tour to Christian City in Clayton County, approx. 11:30-2:30.