Isakson, Perdue seek last-minute changes to health care bill

WASHINGTON -- Georgia U.S. Sens. Johnny Isakson and David Perdue are not seen as swing votes on the Republican health care bill.

But that hasn't stopped the two GOP lawmakers from looking to secure last-minute benefits for Georgia's sickest children and some of the state's medical providers as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell feverishly renegotiates portions of the Better Care Reconciliation Act to win over enough GOP holdouts.

Near the top of Isakson and Perdue's wish lists is a change that could send more money to safety net hospitals such as Grady and South Fulton Medical Center in Atlanta. Another aims to have the government pay more to local health care providers who treat needy children.