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Third Annual Rural Healthcare Symposium Held Today at UGA Law School

Boling & Company

The UGA School of Law hosted the Third Annual Rural Healthcare Symposium today.

 

Healthcare policymakers, executives, entrepreneurs and scholars addressed a range of issues concerning rural healthcare. 

 

Andy Miller, editor and CEO of Georgia Health News, was a panelist at the conference. He discussed how economic development and rural healthcare are intertwined in rural communities.

 

"Well one thing is we've had something like six hospitals in rural areas of our state close since the beginning of 2013," said Miller. "And what that means for that community is the economic development for that county is basically hamstrung if they don't have a hospital." 

 

Miller says two Georgia communities, Richland and Glenwood, lost hospitals and saw businesses close. He also says the closings have led to difficulties for residents in finding access to treatment.

 

"In some cases, I'm thinking about the hospital in Richland, which is south of Columbus, people have to go 30 or 40 miles to the nearest hospital. So you have an immediate effect on health, particularly if it's a trauma victim or someone with a heart attack," said Miller.  

 

The goal of the free symposium is to focus policy discussion on the rural healthcare crisis facing the nation.

 

 

Alexia Ridley joined WUGA as Television and Radio News Anchor and Reporter in 2013. When WUGA TV concluded operations, she became the primary Reporter for WUGA Radio. Alexia came to Athens from Macon where she served as the News Director and show host for WGXA TV. She's a career journalist and Savannah native hailing from the University of Michigan. However, Alexia considers herself an honorary UGA DAWG!