--- title: SR 403. Taylor, Valerie; commend collection: bills id: 2025-2026/sr403 cite_as: SR 403, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.) canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr403 md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr403.md text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr403/text source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71392 date: 2025-03-20 status: passed corpus_version: bills-2026-08-28 license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice. up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr402.md next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr404.md index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md omitted: votes and history omitted_chars: 94 omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr403.md?full=1 bill_number: SR 403 session: 2025-2026 Regular Session session_slug: 2025-2026 chamber: Senate bill_type: resolution status_date: 2025-03-20 last_action: Senate Read and Adopted sponsors: - Kim Jackson - Russ Goodman - Nikki Merritt - Randal Mangham - Michael Rhett - Mike Hodges - Nan Orrock - Shawn Still - Max Burns - Tonya Anderson - Derek Mallow - Jason Esteves - Sonya Halpern - Elena Parent - Josh McLaurin - Kenya Wicks - Harold Jones text_version: Enrolled has_text: true legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/SR403/2025 upstream_id: 2010540 summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5 topic_tags: - Medicaid coverage gap - cancer advocacy - Senate commendation - healthcare access --- # SR 403. Taylor, Valerie; commend ## Text 25 LC 112 3238 Senate Resolution 403 By: Senators Jackson of the 41st, Goodman of the 8th, Merritt of the 9th, Mangham of the 55th, Rhett of the 33rd and others A RESOLUTION Commending Valerie Taylor; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, Valerie Taylor has devoted herself to advocating for cancer patients and their2 families, drawing upon her own courageous battles with blood cancer and breast cancer to3 inspire and empower others in the relentless fight for equitabl e healthcare access and4 life-saving treatments; and5 WHEREAS, Valerie's advocacy efforts began in earnest following her own diagnosis of6 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in April 2018. After dedicating decades of her life as a nurse,7 she was released from her job while caring for her mother, who suffered from advanced8 dementia. As a result, she fell into Georgia's coverage gap and was left without the critical9 healthcare coverage she needed—unable to access the life-saving treatments essential for her10 survival. Throughout this challenging journey, her son, Teferi, has been a constant source of11 strength, supporting her both emotionally and in her advocacy efforts; and 12 WHEREAS, despite facing her own battles with cancer, including a diagnosis of breast13 cancer in 2023, Valerie has been a tireless and passionate advo cate, helping to raise14 awareness about the crucial need to fully close the Medicaid coverage gap to protect patients15 S. R. 403 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3238 like her who are at risk of not being able to access life-savin g treatments due to financial16 barriers; and17 WHEREAS, in 2022, Valerie was honored with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)18 Advocacy Champion of the Year award, a testament to her selfless dedication to advancing19 the LLS mission and her commitment to policy change that benefi ts the millions of20 Americans without access to Medicaid; and21 WHEREAS, through her relentless advocacy, including engaging in virtual meetings with22 lawmakers, her powerful story featured in The Leukemia & Lympho ma's annual report,23 having her story featured in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and her pivotal role in creating24 a compelling Medicaid Coverage Gap video, Valerie has amplified the voices of those in25 need, becoming a driving force in advancing the legislative age nda for improved and26 equitable access to care; and27 WHEREAS, Valerie has also been an active member of LLS's Team in Training program,28 raising nearly $5,000 through a personal fundraiser and complet ing a 35-mile ride in29 America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride in Lake Tahoe, further supporting LLS's efforts to fund30 research and provide hope to patients; and31 WHEREAS, Valerie continues to advocate for safer, more accessib le treatments for all32 cancer patients and remains unwavering in her commitment to clo sing the healthcare33 coverage gap, ensuring that every Georgian has access to the life-saving care they need and34 deserve; and35 WHEREAS, Valerie's unwavering courage and determination are an inspiration to all, and36 her work as The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Advocacy Leader for Georgia represents37 S. R. 403 - 2 - 25 LC 112 3238 the heart of what it means to be a compassionate and dedicated advocate for cancer patients38 and their families; and39 WHEREAS, Valerie's efforts have made a significant impact on im proving the lives of40 cancer patients and will continue to be felt for years to come as her story and advocacy lead41 to meaningful policy changes and inspire others to stand up for those in need.42 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body43 commend Valerie Taylor for her outstanding contributions to the Leukemia & Lymphoma44 Society and to the broader cancer community, recognizing her as a fierce advocate, a45 survivor, and a hero who has made a lasting impact in the fight for better healthcare access46 and treatments for blood cancer patients in Georgia and across the country.47 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed48 to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Valerie Taylor.49 S. R. 403 - 3 - ## Summaries written by Georgia Commons The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary. A Georgia Senate resolution commends Valerie Taylor, a cancer survivor and advocate, for her work raising awareness about gaps in Medicaid coverage for cancer patients. ### Plain-language summary 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. ### What it does - 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. ### Who it affects 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. ### Why it matters 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. ### Key provisions - 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. ## Status - Status: Passed (2025-03-20) - Last action: Senate Read and Adopted (2025-03-20) - Sponsors: Kim Jackson, Russ Goodman, Nikki Merritt, Randal Mangham, Michael Rhett, Mike Hodges, Nan Orrock, Shawn Still, Max Burns, Tonya Anderson, Derek Mallow, Jason Esteves, Sonya Halpern, Elena Parent, Josh McLaurin, Kenya Wicks, Harold Jones - Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/71392 > The history, votes, and amendments (94 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/sr403.md?full=1