Georgia Watch

Georgia Watch has launched its year-end campaign. Support our efforts to ensure all Georgians prosper and their communities thrive. Donate before December 31, or share this post to spread the word!

https://georgiawatch.org/join-the-helpuswatch-campaign-today/

Thanks to Jenny Chiang and Sheila Phillips, our national partners with Community Catalyst, for their recent blog highlighting the work we are doing in Georgia to uplift language justice, build community partnerships, reduce medical debt, and hold hospitals accountable to their communities. Read more here: https://communitycatalyst.org/posts/lessons-in-community-engagement-georgia-site-visits-rural-outreach-and-language-justice-in-action/

Refugee Women's Network, Friends of Refugees, Hispanic Health Coalition of Georgia, Inc, Clarkston Resource and Wellness Hub, and Sowega Rising

Lessons in Community Engagement: Georgia Site Visits Provide Windows into Rural Outreach and Language Justice in Action - Community Catalyst Last month, staff members from our Medical Debt team had the privilege of visiting two of our state partners in Georgia. SOWEGA Rising and Georgia Watch Last month, staff members from our Medical Debt team had the privilege of visiting two of our state partners in Georgia. SOWEGA Rising and Georgia....

We would like to thank Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, and the CFPB's Director Rohit Chopra for drawing attention to medical debt today at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Semi-Annual Review hearing in front of Congress. Watch Senator Warnock and Director Chopra discuss medical debt below.

Community Catalyst, Americans for Financial Reform, and Sowega Rising

Senator Warnock (D-GA) Discusses the CFPB's Work on Medical Debt During the Agency's Report to Congress This is "Senator Warnock (D-GA) Discusses the CFPB's Work on Medical Debt During the Agency's Report to Congress" by Georgia Watch on Vimeo,…

Today is ! Your continued support for over two decades helped make Georgia Watch the state's leading consumer advocacy organization. Join us in advancing equity and justice in Georgia by donating today!

Your contribution will help us continue to make a powerful difference in preventing destabilizing hospital closures, increasing consumer financial protections, empowering Georgians through civic advocacy education, and fighting to reduce medical debt and high energy bills. Thank you for helping us ensure all Georgians prosper and their communities thrive.

Support Georgia Watch today: https://georgiawatch.networkforgood.com/projects/43983-georgia-watch

In the case of an emergency, patients have the right to be treated at a hospital, even if that patient has unresolved medical bills. Learn your rights in emergencies and more in our updated Guide for Medical Bills and Debt:https://georgiawatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Georgia-Consumer-Guide-for-Medical-Bills-and-Debt-11-23.pdf

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect, in gratitude, on those who make a difference in our lives. While making holiday plans and thinking of all you have to be thankful for, we hope you will consider contributing to Georgia Watch on , the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

Learn about ways to support us on : https://georgiawatch.org/helpuswatch/

We applaud the Georgia House of Representatives for taking a serious look at Medicaid expansion as part of the Certificate of Need process.

Georgia House Republicans looking at full Medicaid expansion For the first time in a decade, high-ranking Georgia GOP legislators on Thursday convened a meeting to hear testimony on full Medicaid expansion to all the state’s poor people.

We released an updated version of our Georgia Consumer Guide for Medical Bills and Debt yesterday. The updated guide now includes information on immigrant and refugee health rights, emergency services rights, and surprise billing. You can read more about the updates in our latest newsletter, The Watcher. https://conta.cc/3MJRkfe

“We are very glad to see five additional Georgia hospitals earned an ‘A’ in the latest state rankings and appreciate their commitment to improve patient safety,” Liz Coyle added.

By T.A. DeFeo | The Center Square

Georgia ranks 21st for percentage of hospitals earning an 'A' By T.A. DeFeo, The Center Square — (The Center Square) — Georgia ranked 21st in the country for the percentage of hospitals earning an "A" grade in a new report. In the fall 2023 Leapfrog

Yesterday, at the 20th Annual High-Cost Lending Summit hosted by the Consumer Federation of America, our executive director, Liz Coyle, spoke on a panel focusing on Earned Wage Advances and their effects on consumers.

Today, Georgia Watch submitted a public comment supporting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) taking action on forced arbitration. Consumers deserve a system that does not allow their voices to be silenced or their rights circumvented. Read the full comment letter here: https://www.regulations.gov/comment/CFPB-2023-0047-0018

Forced arbitration clauses are for consumers, buried in “take-it-or-leave-it” contracts, which have become a standard practice today. We support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)‘s continued efforts to ' access to justice. Read the full comment letter signed by Georgia Watch and over 100 organizations supporting the petition for rulemaking to require meaningful consumer consent to arbitration: https://www.nclc.org/resources/over-100-orgs-consumer-consent-to-arbitration/

Thank you, everyone, for coming out yesterday for the American Public Health Association Annual Day of Action! Special thanks to Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia for partnering with us to make our Maternal and Child Health Policy Workshop such a success!

The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit representing hundreds of the nation’s most influential employers and purchasers of healthcare, recently announced the new spring 2023 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades. In Georgia, 79 hospitals were graded, and 24 earned an “A,” 17 earned a “B,” 34 earned a “C,” 4 earned a “D,” and none earned an “F.”

Read more here:

Leapfrog Group Announces Spring 2023 Hospital Grades for Georgia Data reveals CLABSI, MRSA and CAUTI rates spiked to a 5-year high during COVID-19 pandemic Atlanta, GA (May 8, 2023) – The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit representing hundreds of the nation’s most influential employers and

Meet Senge Ngalame, a native of Decatur, Georgia, with roots tracing back to Cameroon on the West Coast of Africa. She began her educational journey at Talladega College, earning a bachelor’s in biology. She then pursued a master’s in public health with a concentration in Community Health Education at Concordia University-Nebraska.

For the past two years, Senge has dedicated herself as a Community Health Worker (CHW) at Mercy Care, serving Districts 3 and 2. In her role, she assists clients dealing with hypertension and diabetes, offering guidance on blood pressure management and promoting healthy lifestyles through health education. She has also traveled to Nicaragua and Belize to teach clinic health education.

Senge's passion lies in forging lasting connections and becoming a voice for those often overlooked and unheard. She firmly believes everyone has a unique story that deserves to be told and heard. In addition to her CHW role, Senge is an active member of various organizations, including the American Public Health Association, Society for the Analysis of African American Public Health Issues, Sisters in Public Health, Georgia Public Health Association, Southern AIDS Coalition, Georgia Community Health Worker Network, and National Association of Community Health Workers.

A statewide poll commissioned by Georgia Watch and administered by the University of Georgia (UGA) shows that Georgians strongly support increased financial protections for consumers, increased hospital accountability, and equity considerations in the legislative process. Read the full poll results and more in our latest newsletter, The Watcher.
https://conta.cc/3QlwALM

We hosted the 2023 Georgia Financial Protection & Economic Opportunity Summit yesterday! Special guest speaker Diane Standaert, Senior Engagement and Policy Fellow at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), provided a rich presentation on data surrounding rural Georgians’ financial challenges. Attendees tackled crucial topics like immigrant and refugee health rights, medical debt, consumer equity, and more. Thank you to all the participants and to our sponsors, Community Catalyst and Annie E. Casey Foundation, for making this event a success!

Join us this Wednesday for Georgia’s Financial Protection & Economic Opportunity Summit.

Attendees will learn to develop policy solutions around pressing issues such as:
- Hospital accountability
- Medical debt
- Financial protections and more!

There is still time; register here: https://lnkd.in/g9GQbxT4

Register now for Georgia’s Financial Protection and Economic Opportunity Summit!

Join us at our annual summit, inviting consumer protection experts and advocates to discuss shared legislative priorities. Roundtable discussions will call attendees to develop solutions to pressing issues surrounding hospital accountability, medical debt, immigrant and refugee health rights, consumer equity and policy, and financial protections.

Click the link to register:
https://bit.ly/45Dk9Re

“Car title lenders take advantage of Georgians when they are desperate for cash,” said Liz Coyle, executive director of Georgia Watch. “Georgia Watch is proud to recognize Rep. Josh Bonner for his strong stance to ensure fair lending for Georgia’s consumers.”

By Fayette County News

Rep. Josh Bonner Recognized as Georgia Watch’s 2023 Consumer Champion for Fair Lending By Fayette County News — ATLANTA – On Oct. 12, Georgia Watch presented its 2023 Consumer Champion awards to six advocates and legislators for their work to protect and empower consumers in Georgia, including Rep.

Last week, we gathered for our Annual Consumer Champion Awards Celebration. Thank you, everyone, for coming together to honor and celebrate our consumer champions who support our mission to protect and inform consumers so all Georgians prosper, and their communities thrive.
Josh Bonner For State House, John F. King, Justin Gray, Berneta Haynes, Kathleen Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., and Margaret Coker

TODAY! We are hosting our Annual Consumer Champion Awards celebration at 1705West from 6 - 8 p.m. The venue is inside the Meals on Wheels Atlanta's headquarters. All proceeds from booking 1705West will directly support Meals on Wheels Atlanta's mission to provide nourishing meals to seniors in the Atlanta area. Get ready to applaud our Consumer Champions and make a meaningful impact on the Atlanta community.

There is still time to RSVP, click here: https://georgiawatch.org/2023-annual-consumer-champion-awards-registration/

TOMORROW, we will be hosting our annual Consumer Champion Awards Celebration! This event will highlight our accomplishments and the champions who have supported our mission to protect and inform consumers so all Georgians prosper and their communities thrive.

There is still time to RSVP; click here: https://georgiawatch.org/2023-annual-consumer-champion-awards-registration/

Our annual Consumer Champion Awards Celebration is TWO days away on October 12 at 1705West from 6 to 8 p.m.

Help us celebrate our 2023 Consumer Champions!
Margaret Coker, The Current GA’s Editor in Chief, will be honored as our 2023 Champion for Shining Light on Title Lenders.

It's not too late... RSVP HERE:
https://georgiawatch.org/2023-annual-consumer-champion-awards-registration/
SHARE and REPOST to spread the word!

Did you know? Georgia Watch works at the Georgia Capitol to protect consumers from predatory title pawn loans.

Join us this Thursday, October 12, for our Annual Consumer Champion Awards Celebration to celebrate our advocacy efforts and achievements. This event will take place at 1705West from 6 to 8 p.m. RSVP HERE: https://georgiawatch.org/2023-annual-consumer-champion-awards-registration/

SHARE and REPOST to spread the word!

Join us as we celebrate our 2023 Consumer Champions!
Justin Gray, WSB-TV Investigative Reporter, will be honored as our 2023 Champion for Financial Protection.

Our annual Consumer Champion Awards Celebration is NEXT WEEK on October 12 at 1705West from 6 to 8 p.m.

RSVP HERE: https://georgiawatch.org/2023-annual-consumer-champion-awards-registration/

SHARE and REPOST to spread the word!

This year, Georgia Watch introduced hospital accountability recommendations with policy solutions to ensure all Georgians have adequate hospital accessibility after the recent hospital closures.

Join us next week, October 12, to celebrate this stride and this year’s Consumer Champions at 1705West from 6 to 8 p.m. for our Annual Consumer Champion Awards Celebration!

RSVP HERE: https://georgiawatch.org/annual-consumer-champion-awards-celebration-2023/
SHARE and REPOST to spread the word

Help us celebrate our 2023 Consumer Champions! Berneta Haynes, Senior Attorney with the National Consumer Law Center, will be honored as our 2023 Champion for Energy and Health Equity.

Our annual Consumer Champion Awards Celebration is next week on October 12 at 1705West from 6 to 8 p.m.

Please RSVP HERE: https://georgiawatch.org/annual-consumer-champion-awards-celebration-2023/

SHARE and REPOST to spread the word!

After years of relentless advocacy work, Georgia Watch reached an agreement to reduce rate hikes from Plant Vogtle's costly construction and expand energy efficiency programs for ratepayers.

Help us celebrate this victory and honor our 2023 consumer champions on Oct. 12 at 1705West!

It's not too late, RSVP here: https://georgiawatch.org/2023-annual-consumer-champion-awards-registration/

Help us celebrate our 2023 Consumer Champions!

Our annual Consumer Champion Awards Celebration will be held on October 12 at 1705West from 6 to 8 p.m.

Kathleen Toomey, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health, will be honored as our 2023 Champion for Maternal, Child, and Community Health.

Please RSVP HERE:
https://lnkd.in/gYcsVdrg
SHARE and REPOST to spread the word!

Today, we are in Clarkston at the new Clarkston Resource and Wellness Hub for Unity in Healthcare Day! This event aims to bridge the gap between community members, healthcare services, and providers. We want to extend a deep thank you to our partners and vendors who made this event possible! Refugee Women's Network, Hispanic Health Coalition of Georgia, Inc, EMBRACE, Friends of Refugees, DeKalb County, GA Board of Health, Clarkston Community Health Center, New American Pathways, CORE, Community Catalyst, Ethnē Health, WellRefugee Center, ICNA Relief, Decatur Family YMCA, Easterseals North Georgia, Inc., Inspiredu, and Georgians For a Healthy Future

Help us celebrate our 2023 Consumer Champions!
Our annual Consumer Champion Awards Celebration will be held on October 12 at 1705West from 6 to 8 p.m.

John F. King, Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, will be honored as our 2023 Champion for Marketplace Fairness.

Please RSVP HERE:
https://georgiawatch.org/annual-consumer-champion-awards-celebration-2023/
SHARE and REPOST to spread the word!

Georgia Watch is committed to consumer protection and leveling the playing field for all Georgians! Join us for our annual Consumer Champion Awards Celebration in two weeks at 1705West on Oct. 12 from 6 - 8 p.m.

You don’t want to miss this, RSVP here: https://georgiawatch.org/annual-consumer-champion-awards-celebration-2023/

Help us celebrate our 2023 Consumer Champions! Our annual Consumer Champion Awards Celebration will be held on October 12 at 1705West from 6 to 8 p.m.

Josh Bonner For State House will be honored as our 2023 Champion for Fair Lending.

Please RSVP HERE:
https://lnkd.in/gYcsVdrg
SHARE and REPOST to spread the word!

Join us on October 12, from 6 to 8 p.m., at 1705West for our Annual Consumer Champion Awards Celebration. The celebration will bring together legislators, other elected officials, policy makers, influencers, advocates, philanthropists, community leaders, legal and healthcare professionals, previous award recipients, and more!

You don’t want to miss this, reserve your spot HERE: https://georgiawatch.org/annual-consumer-champion-awards-celebration-2023/

“By declaring bankruptcy, they may be trying to protect themselves from having to actually pay restitution to all the people they’ve harmed,” Liz Coyle said.

Justin Gray | WSB-TV

Controversial real estate company files for bankruptcy following series of Channel 2 investigations By Justin Gray, WSB-TV — Watch the full news story here. ATLANTA — Just days after we reported that members of the U.S. Senate were pressing a real estate company for answers about its 40-year listing