Georgia Academy Leadership Sets Legislative Priorities for 2025
By: Thomas Fausett, MD (Chair) and Casey Henritz, DO (Vice Chair) – Georgia Academy’s Legislative Committee
Legislative Priorities Survey Results
Over a three-week period, the GAFP conducted an extensive Legislative Priorities Survey, garnering 101 responses from members, including nine medical students, 10 residents, and 82 active and life members.
In December, the Legislative Committee convened to review these survey results, incorporating valuable feedback and additional comments from participants. A key discussion emerged around prioritizing state initiatives that could expand family medicine, given recent member conversations with legislative leaders expressing openness to supportive policy changes.
Following the review, the Legislative Committee recommended—and the Executive Committee approved—the following initial legislative priorities for the upcoming session. These priorities will remain dynamic, with the potential for additional key topics to be addressed as the session progresses:
Scope of Practice: Oppose legislation allowing physician assistants and nurse practitioners to practice independently without physician supervision.
Public Health: Oppose any efforts to criminalize physician-patient conversations on sensitive topics such as gun ownership or family planning.
Payment Reform: Advocate for Medicaid reimbursement rates to match Medicare levels for primary care physicians and OB/GYNs.
Administrative Burden: Support legislation to eliminate restrictive covenants and non-compete clauses in physician employment contracts.
Family Medicine Expansion: Back state initiatives aimed at growing and supporting family medicine in Georgia.
Upcoming Advocacy Events – Register Today!
The Georgia Academy of Family Physicians invites all members to participate in two key advocacy events this February. These events provide an excellent opportunity to strengthen advocacy skills, connect with legislative leaders, and advocate for healthcare policies that benefit family medicine and patients in Georgia.
Advocacy Prep Webinar
📅 Monday, February 10
🕕 6:00–7:00 PM (Virtual)
Open to all GAFP members, this virtual session will prepare attendees to confidently engage in advocacy efforts. Unlimited registration is available.
Day at the Capitol
📅 Thursday, February 13
🕣 8:30 AM–2:00 PM
📍 State Capitol / Veterans Memorial Building, 200 Piedmont Avenue, SE, Atlanta, GA
Join us in person at the State Capitol for a hands-on advocacy experience. Space is limited, and registration will close once capacity is reached.
Register Now
Click here to register for both events: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/25DayatCap
Why Participate?
These events are vital for building advocacy expertise, influencing key healthcare policies, and demonstrating the collective strength of family physicians in Georgia. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a difference!
