LISTEN: A bill to certify community health care workers, who help bridge gaps between people and health care systems, has stalled in a key committee of the state Senate. GPB's Sofi Gratas reports.

Health workers left bandaids taped onto their safety vests for easy access during the COVID-19 vaccination event in Cochran, Ga. Monday.

Health care workers, especially those in rural and underserved areas, need formalized certification, say advocates for a bill that's stalled out in the 2026 General Assembly.

A bill to certify community health care workers, who help bridge gaps between people and health care systems, has stalled in a key committee of the state Senate with just one remaining day left in the General Assembly.

What comes next for this public health initiative?

There are already thousands of community health care workers in Georgia, trained here at medical schools, by the state Department of Public Health or by national organizations. 

The bill would have formalized training for them, said Natasha Taylor with the consumer advocacy group Georgia Watch.

"It helps us kind of put eyes on where are community health workers and then also be able to deploy them into areas where they're needed most," she said.

Certification would also open the door to reimbursement by insurance. Lack of insurance is another barrier to health care for many Georgians and health care providers. 

Taylor said her group and other advocates will reintroduce the bill in 2027's session, emphasizing health workers' role in rural and underserved areas. 

Tags: Georgia  Georgia Politics  georgia legislature  Health 
GPB’s Health Reporting is supported by Georgia Health Initiative

Georgia Health Initiative is a non-partisan, private foundation advancing innovative ideas to help improve the health of Georgians. Learn more at georgiahealthinitiative.org