Politics
Politics

Cagle appoints new legislator to high-profile health committee

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, far left, and other senators at the inaugural meeting in March of the Health Care Reform Task Force, at the Georgia Capitol. Photo by ARIEL HART / ahart@ajc.com
Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, far left, and other senators at the inaugural meeting in March of the Health Care Reform Task Force, at the Georgia Capitol. Photo by ARIEL HART / ahart@ajc.com
By
June 16, 2017

The Georgia Senate’s health care task force has a new senator as a new member.

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle has appointed state Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick, an orthopedic surgeon, to the task force that he formed to address the state’s health care.

The group is meeting in locations across the state to hear expert testimony. Its goal is to come up with suggestions or solutions that advance Georgia’s interests in light of changes to federal health care law that are now being considered in Washington.

Kirpatrick, a doctor for 30 years, joins other medical professionals on the panel, including Sen. Renee Unterman, R-Buford, who worked as a nurse. The timing of Cagle’s announcement, four days before the 6th Congressional District election, also makes a political point. Kirkpatrick is a Republican from Marietta, and she recently won election against a Democrat in a district that lies mostly within the 6th District.

The 6th District election, where Democrat John Ossoff is battling Republican Karen Handel, is the most expensive U.S. House race in history and will be decided Tuesday.

About the Author

Ariel Hart is a reporter on health care issues. She works on the AJC’s health team and has reported on subjects including the Voting Rights Act and transportation.

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