Delivering Competition to Albany 

Last week our newsletter covered the healthcare situation in Albany, GA, where  Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital currently holds a monopoly on obstetrical care. Update: Palmyra Medical Center filed to provide obstetrics care in Albany this past Friday.  The hospital announced its intention to file less than two months ago, shortly after a Georgia law easing Certificate of Need (CON) requirements went into effect. 

This is good news for Albany, as new competition and patient choice will force all providers to offer quality service at lower costs.  Albany’s citizens certainly deserve relief from healthcare costs that are over the top when compared to the rest of the state of Georgia. 

Palmyra files…again 

Although Palmyra has never had an obstetrical unit, it has filed four times in the past 20 years to provide basic obstetrical care.  Phoebe Putney has worked to block Palmyra’s application all four times.  

Palmyra’s latest filing seeks approval to provide Level 1 obstetrical services:  basic inpatient care for pregnant women and newborns without complications and follow-up care for new mothers and infants.  The center plans to add a nursery and seven delivery rooms. 

Why try again now? 

Until this year, Georgia had restrictive CON requirements that would not permit a hospital to provide some services unless it could “prove there was a need.”  On April 9, however, Governor Sonny Perdue recognized the merits of competition and patient choice and signed Senate Bill 433, a 77-page reform of Georgia CON laws.  This new law, which went into effect July 1, eases restrictions based on needs for several categories of care such as heart catheterizations, general surgery, and obstetrics.    

Providing Patient Choice 

We at AFP are pleased to see Palmyra’s filing, which could introduce some obstetrical competition in Albany.  This will allow future parents to compare the hospitals and choose their favorite based on factors such as services provided, location, cost, and even the personalities and demeanor of the healthcare providers.  These elements play a large part in patient satisfaction, and it’s important to be comfortable with the hospital you choose to help bring a new life into the world. 

Americans For Prosperity supports consumer choice, competition, and other free market concepts. It’s time to deliver some healthy hospital competition for the future proud parents of Albany!  

Do you know of a situation in Georgia where free market principles are being violated? Let us know!   

Want the best chance this year for inspiration, information, and some really great speakers? Join us October 10 & 11 for AFP’s Defending the American Dream Summit. Details here.   

Going to be near Cartersville Thursday evening? AFP and the Bartow Teenage Republicans invite you to join us for a discussion on energy issues. Click here to ask for meeting info. 

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