HR161: HR161 Children's Healthcare of Atlanta; opening the new Arthur M. Blank Hospital; commend

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives honors Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, the state's only freestanding pediatric healthcare system, for opening the Arthur M. Blank Hospital on September 29, 2024. The resolution describes the new hospital's size and services, including its 446 licensed beds and status as Georgia's only Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, and notes the large-scale move of patients from Egleston Hospital to the new facility. The resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally recognizes and commends the healthcare system's contributions to pediatric care in the state and directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to send a copy of the resolution to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

• Formally recognizes and commends Children's Healthcare of Atlanta for its contributions to pediatric healthcare in Georgia.
• Celebrates the opening of the Arthur M. Blank Hospital on September 29, 2024 as a new pediatric facility in the state.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
• Creates no new legal requirements, funding, or penalties because it is a commendatory resolution rather than a law.

The resolution directly names Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, its staff, and patients across Georgia's 159 counties. It has largely symbolic effect and does not impose obligations on any other individuals, agencies, or businesses.

Because this is a commendation rather than a law, it does not change how healthcare is delivered, funded, or regulated in Georgia. Its practical effect is limited to formally recognizing the hospital system's work and the new hospital's opening.

• The preamble ('whereas' clauses) describes Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's statewide reach, staffing, and services, including 789 licensed beds and more than 14,000 employees.
• The preamble describes the September 29, 2024 opening of the Arthur M. Blank Hospital, a 446 bed facility that is Georgia's only Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center.
• The preamble notes the transfer of 202 patients using 65 ambulances from Egleston Hospital to the new hospital in under 12 hours.
• The resolved clause formally commends Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and celebrates the hospital's opening.
• A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute a copy of the resolution to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

1. 2025-02-04House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-02-04House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-04House Hopper (House)

• Karen Lupton (D, HD-083)Primary sponsor
• Mary Oliver (D, HD-084)
• Sharon Cooper (R, HD-045)
• Samuel Park (D, HD-107)

• pediatric healthcare
• Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
• Georgia hospitals
• legislative commendation