Amendment 2 supporters rally outside the capital in Atlanta urging voters to fund Georgia's ailing trauma care network with the measure. (photo by Melissa Stiers)
Most of the Amendment 2 supporters on the steps of the capital were health care providers. They pointed out Georgia has just 16 trauma care centers and most of them are in the metro-Atlanta area.
Chad Black is a paramedic in north Georgia. He says throughout the course of his 26-year career, he’s seen firsthand how serious the demand for more trauma care is.
"It’s been very difficult watching people die that shouldn’t die... lying in an emergency room three to four hours in rural Georgia," says Black. "That they couldn’t get accepted into a trauma center is not acceptable to me."
Amendment 2 would raise $80 million a year designated for a trauma care fund.
Charlotte Laverty is voting for it. Her 17-year old son died in a car accident five months ago. She says despite his death, he was given all the care he needed at a Columbus trauma care center, and all Georgians should have the same access to care.
"Just think it could be your neighbor, it could be your son, it could be your mother, it could be your best friend. Ten dollars, please vote yes," says Laverty.
Opponents of the amendment say the details are unclear of exactly where the money would be spent.
