Bill to Create Standards for Community Health Workers Stalls in Georgia
Advocates fear Georgia’s failure to regulate community health workers could undermine efforts to bring healthcare to the state’s most vulnerable populations.
ATLANTA — Legislation aimed at establishing standards and certification requirements for community health workers in Georgia has stalled in the state legislature, leaving advocates frustrated as the session winds down.
The bill, which would create a regulatory framework for community health workers who provide basic healthcare services in underserved communities, has failed to advance despite bipartisan support earlier in the session. Community health workers typically assist patients with managing chronic diseases, connecting to healthcare services, and navigating insurance systems.
State Rep. Sharon Cooper, who chairs the House Health and Human Services Committee, said the legislation faced opposition from some healthcare organizations concerned about scope of practice issues. The bill had passed the House but became bogged down in the Senate.
Impact on Rural Communities
Supporters argue the legislation is particularly significant for rural Georgia, where healthcare access remains limited. Community health workers often serve as a bridge between patients and formal healthcare systems, especially in areas with physician shortages.
“These workers are already providing essential services in our communities,” said Dr. James Matthews, director of the Georgia Association of Community Health Centers. “Having proper standards would ensure quality care while expanding access to those who need it most.”
The Georgia Department of Public Health estimates approximately 3,000 community health workers operate throughout the state without formal certification requirements. The proposed legislation would establish training standards, background check requirements, and continuing education mandates.
Legislative Hurdles
Opposition came primarily from nursing associations and some physician groups who expressed concerns about potential overlap with existing licensed healthcare roles. Critics worried the bill could blur professional boundaries and create confusion about who can provide certain types of care.
Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick, a physician who serves on the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, said more work is needed to address these concerns before the legislation can move forward.
“While we support expanding healthcare access, we need to ensure any new framework protects patient safety and doesn’t duplicate existing roles,” Kirkpatrick said during a committee hearing last week.
Next Steps
With the legislative session scheduled to end next month, sponsors acknowledge the bill will likely carry over to next year. They plan to work with stakeholders during the interim to address remaining concerns.
The Georgia Hospital Association and several community health advocacy groups have formed a working group to develop compromise language that addresses scope of practice concerns while maintaining the bill’s core objectives.
Community health worker advocates say the delay means continued uncertainty for workers who want professional recognition and standardized training. Many other states have already implemented similar certification programs.
“Georgia is falling behind other states that have recognized the value of community health workers,” said Maria Rodriguez, executive director of the Georgia Community Health Worker Association. “We hope legislators will prioritize this issue when they return next year.”
