HR72: HR72 House Study Committee on Cancer Care Access; create

This resolution creates the House Study Committee on Cancer Care Access to look into why rural Georgians and minority populations often lack access to quality cancer care. The committee would study ways to boost cancer screenings statewide, weigh the economic value of cancer care centers, and examine medical education and workforce programs that train and keep cancer doctors, nurses, and other providers in Georgia. The Speaker of the House would appoint five House members plus seven other members, including representatives of medical schools, a primary care physician, a rural oncologist, a federally qualified health center representative, and others such as cancer survivors or caregivers. The committee must meet four times, can recommend legislation, and would be abolished on December 1, 2025, after filing any approved report with the Clerk of the House.

• Creates the House Study Committee on Cancer Care Access, made up of 5 House members and 7 additional appointed members.
• Directs the committee to study cancer care access problems, especially in rural and minority communities, and recommend legislation.
• Requires the committee to hold four meetings and file a report of any approved findings before it is abolished.
• Sets member pay and expense allowances under existing state law (O.C.G.A. §§ 28-1-8 and 45-7-21), capped at three days unless extended.
• Abolishes the committee automatically on December 1, 2025.

Members of the Georgia House of Representatives appointed to the committee, medical and public health school representatives, primary care and rural oncology physicians, federally qualified health center staff, cancer survivors, caregivers, and rural and minority Georgians facing gaps in cancer care access.

The committee's findings could shape future legislation on cancer screening incentives, funding for cancer care facilities, and workforce programs for cancer providers, potentially affecting how rural and minority Georgians access cancer treatment and prevention services down the road.

• Paragraph 1 creates the House Study Committee on Cancer Care Access.
• Paragraph 2 sets committee membership: 5 House members plus 7 others, including medical school representatives, physicians, and community advocates, with a legislator as chairperson.
• Paragraph 3 charges the committee with studying cancer care conditions and recommending action or legislation.
• Paragraph 4 requires the chairperson to call four meetings.
• Paragraph 5 sets member allowances under O.C.G.A. §§ 28-1-8 and 45-7-21, funded through House appropriations, capped at three paid days unless extended.
• Paragraph 6 lays out reporting requirements, including filing an approved report or meeting minutes with the Clerk of the House.
• Paragraph 7 abolishes the committee on December 1, 2025.

1. 2025-04-04House Passed/Adopted By Substitute (House)
2. 2025-04-04House Third Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-28House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
4. 2025-01-30House Second Readers (House)
5. 2025-01-29House First Readers (House)
6. 2025-01-28House Hopper (House)

• Lee Hawkins (R, HD-027)Primary sponsor
• Gerald Greene (R, HD-154)
• Karen Mathiak (R, HD-082)
• Deborah Silcox (R, HD-053)
• Katie Dempsey (R, HD-013)

1. PassedHouse voteApril 4, 2025

   166 yea, 0 nay (5 not voting, 9 absent)

   Uncontested House Resolutions: House Vote #444

• cancer care access
• rural health care
• health care workforce
• legislative study committee