Joel Alvarado
Policy Director 

 

On behalf the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, I want to wish everyone a Happy Holidays.  During this time of celebration and reflection, it is important to also prepare for the forthcoming year.  Much has happened in 2008 that should be celebrated and give us cause for concern.

In Georgia, 2009 will be a year of economic uncertainty requiring local and state elected officials to make budgetary decisions capable of seriously impacting the lives of many, especially those individuals most dependent on publicly funded services.  When the 2009 Georgia General Assembly convenes on January 12th, they will have to confront a $2 billion deficit, sagging revenues and increasing unemployment.

The proverbial question, of course, is how will they respond?  Will policymakers use a scorched earth approach whereby programs are severely cut or eliminated without concern for short and long term ramifications or will they take a more rational and pragmatic approach.  We realize the inevitability of budgets becoming leaner, but we hope the decision making process will be inclusive, objective and utilitarian.  Now is not the time for rhetoric, but true leadership that takes into account the fears harbored by many Georgians.

For instance, some will wonder what happens if my child, spouse, parent or partner becomes ill?  Others will ask, where do I go to for counseling or treatment that respects my privacy?  For advocates, our concerns are much broader.  Will hospitals like Grady be overwhelmed by patients who have neither the private or public coverage nor the personal resources to pay for services rendered?  What is the likelihood of increased teen pregnancy or STD/HIV infection?  These are tough questions to say the least, yet they cannot be ignored.

Simply put, if we want to protect those programs and services which contribute to improving the lives of Georgians, then our position must be unequivocal and resounding.

We cannot, in good conscience, compromise the health of our state.

Everyday, a hardworking Georgian is losing his/her job as well as whatever benefits they enjoyed.  In November 2007, 48,150 people applied for unemployment insurance.  In November 2008, the number of unemployment insurance applicants increased by 55 percent to 74,480.  In the Dalton Metropolitan Statistical Area the increase was a staggering 147 percent.  As the data indicates, the situation is getting profoundly worse.  At a time when more families will need publicly funded healthcare, there is a strong possibility they will be shut out and deprived of basic medical services.

We, as a community of concerned citizens, have a moral responsibility to prevent any Draconian action which can impede the provision of quality healthcare to children, seniors, pregnant women and disabled citizens.  Every dollar cut will inevitably cost taxpayers dearly.

G-CAPP is committed to advocating for responsible public policy and budgetary decisions to protect the health and wellbeing of all Georgians.  During the upcoming legislative session we will provide our allies weekly legislative newsletters, action alerts and notifications of important hearings or votes.  As well in February we will hold our quarterly Adolescent Services Network meeting with the topic being the 2009 Georgia General Assembly.

In the midst of what we face, thank goodness we have the ability to stand up and speak out together.  For me, that is the greatest gift of all.