SINE DIE ANOTHER DAY: Health Care, Cannabis Oil, 'Bed Tax,' And More

Georgia lawmakers took action on a number of health bills during the the 2017 session. Governor Nathan Deal has already signed one of them into law.

The “bed tax”--a fee paid by hospitals--contributes more than $300 million to the state’s Medicaid program. The federal government matches that money with an additional $600 million for health care for poor residents.

Other Medicaid changes could be in the works, after Deal announced the state would seek a waiver from the Department of Health and Human Services. “We will be looking at those possibilities,” Deal said in March. “We have not formulated any proposal at this time, but the waivers will be primarily restricted to our Medicaid program.”

Lawmakers also voted to expand the state’s cannabis oil program. The bill adds autism, AIDS, Tourette’s, and Alzheimer's to the list of qualifying conditions. Patients in hospice, regardless of illness, will also be eligible.

The General Assembly also voted to increase tax credits for donations to struggling hospitals. Lawmakers also approved allowing dental hygienists to work in schools and other “safety net” settings without a dentist present.