Georgia doctors, medical experts discuss impacts of abortion ban, rural healthcare
U.S. Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff listened to medical experts in front of his subcommittee.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Some Georgia doctors say certain new healthcare laws are causing a doctor shortage and that Georgia’s healthcare system is feeling the negative impacts following the six-week abortion ban law went into effect two years ago.
“It’s deeply immortalizing and I feel deeply guilty for not coming back,” Dr. Aisvarya Panakam, who’s a first-year resident, said. She’s originally from Georgia but moved to Pennsylvania to finish her education.
Tuesday morning, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff had Georgia doctors and medical experts bring up concerns during a subcommittee meeting in Atlanta on how women’s lives are at risk due to some laws and how to address the OB-GYN shortage as a result.
“Most of the people on this planet live in a rural community, so we need to find ways to help them and they’re often under served,” Jean Sumner with Mercer University School of Medicine said.
Sumner says it’s Mercer’s mission to bring quality healthcare to rural areas.
“Quality prenatal care is vital in helping shepherd that mother through pregnancy because most of the life-threatening complications in pregnancy occur either in the prenatal or post-natal times, and you can prevent many of them with good care,” Sumner said.Sumner shared her thoughts on the importance of attracting more medical personnel to rural areas.
“Where they can really shape the health status of the community and make a difference good healthcare, bring economic development, improve school systems, because healthy children are better in school,” she said.
Senator Ossoff is receiving input and comments on this matter until July 30. To submit input, go here.
