The Office of Georgia Senator Sally Harrell and Partners to Host Press Conference at Georgia State Capitol in Support of Senate Bill 208
THE OFFICE OF GEORGIA SENATOR SALLY HARRELL AND PARTNERS TO HOST PRESS CONFERENCE AT GEORGIA STATE CAPITOL IN SUPPORT OF SENATE BILL 208
(February 22, 2022-Atlanta, Ga) – “We Are Here, So Hear Us: Fully Fund in Five,” Georgia Senator Sally Harrell and partners are hosting a press conference Monday, February 28, 2022, at the Georgia State Capitol in support of Senate Bill 208, a bill that calls for the end to Georgia’s NOW/COMP waiver list in five years. There are currently over 7000 Georgians with intellectual and developmental disabilities on the NOW/COMP Waiver waiting list. Senator Harrell and partners are putting forth a call to action to Governor Kemp and the General Assembly to hear their voices, include their needs in this year’s appropriations process, and take significant steps toward eliminating the NOW/COMP Medicaid waiver waiting list while the state has significant resources to do so.
Each year, more than 7,000 people with developmental disabilities remain on Georgia’s waiting list for NOW/COMP Medicaid waivers that provide the supports they need to live full and productive lives at home and in their communities. This waiting list has existed for decades. Senator Harrell and partners also want to address that direct support providers have been neglected regarding pay. Statistically, support providers get paid less than the average babysitter, resulting in a dangerous labor shortage as providers seek employment with higher pay. Last year, with the introduction of SB 208, Senator Sally Harrell and advocates set a bold vision to fully fund Georgia’s NOW/COMP waivers to eliminate the waiting list in five years. This year, with state revenues at an all-time high, the Governor’s proposed FY 2023 budget does not include a proportional investment in decreasing the number of people waiting for NOW/COMP waivers. Senator Harrell’s goal is to also ensure that support providers receive competitive wages so that they remain in these critical jobs.
The press conference will begin at 2:00 pm at the Georgia Capitol Rotunda, South Wing. Guest speakers include Philip Woody, Father, Advocate, Michael Housel, Self- Advocate from Tifton, GA, Uniting for Change, who will speak on the need for increased support for adults with developmental disabilities, Lisa Woody, Mom, Advocate, who will speak on mental health impact on caregivers, and Don McLaughlin, Senior Minister from the North Atlanta Church of Christ, Ally to speak on how supporting Georgians with disabilities is a moral issue for our state leaders.
For more information, contact the Office of Senator Sally Harrell at 404-463-2260 or email .
About the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities: The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) is the State's leader in advancing public policy on behalf of persons with developmental disabilities. Its mission is to bring about social and policy changes that promote opportunities for the wide spectrum of diverse people/persons with developmental disabilities and their families to live, learn, work, play, and worship in their communities. For more information, visit at www.gcdd.org.
