SR403: SR403 Taylor, Valerie; commend

This is a commemorative resolution from the Georgia Senate, not a change to state law. It honors Valerie Taylor, a former nurse who was diagnosed with blood cancer and later breast cancer, for her advocacy work with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The resolution recounts how Taylor lost her job while caring for her mother, fell into Georgia's Medicaid coverage gap, and went without health coverage during her own cancer treatment. It describes her subsequent advocacy, including meetings with lawmakers, media coverage, a fundraising bike ride, and her role as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Advocacy Leader for Georgia. The Senate formally commends her and directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide her a copy of the resolution.

• Formally commends Valerie Taylor for her advocacy work with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the cancer community.
• Recites her personal history with blood cancer and breast cancer and her experience falling into Georgia's Medicaid coverage gap after losing her job.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to Valerie Taylor.
• Does not create, amend, or repeal any Georgia statute; it has no regulatory or funding effect.

The resolution directly names and honors Valerie Taylor. It references the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Georgians affected by the Medicaid coverage gap, and the Georgia Senate, which formally adopts the commendation.

The resolution carries no legal force and changes no policy, but it publicly documents the Georgia Senate's recognition of Taylor's advocacy and highlights the Medicaid coverage gap issue she has campaigned to close for cancer patients in Georgia.

• The resolution's whereas clauses describe Taylor's 2018 leukemia diagnosis, job loss, and fall into Georgia's Medicaid coverage gap without health coverage.
• It notes her 2023 breast cancer diagnosis and continued advocacy work despite her own illness.
• It cites her 2022 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Advocacy Champion of the Year award and her role as the group's Advocacy Leader for Georgia.
• The resolving clause commends Taylor as an advocate, survivor, and hero for cancer patients in Georgia and nationally.
• A further resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide her a copy of the resolution.

1. 2025-03-20Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-03-18Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)Primary sponsor
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
• Nikki Merritt (D, SD-009)
• Randal Mangham (D, SD-055)
• Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
• Mike Hodges (R, SD-003)
• Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
• Max Burns (R, SD-023)
• Tonya Anderson (D, SD-043)
• Derek Mallow (D, SD-002)
• Jason Esteves (D, SD-035)
• Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
• Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
• Josh McLaurin (D, SD-014)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)

• Medicaid coverage gap
• cancer advocacy
• Senate commendation
• healthcare access