A bill passed by the House of Representatives on Thursday would move responsibility for overseeing the state boards of pharmacy and dentistry to the Georgia Department of Community Health.
The two boards, which oversee pharmacists, dentists, dental hygienists and other health care professionals, are currently under the purview of the Secretary of State’s Office. Supporters of House Bill 132 said it would make responding to Georgians’ problems more efficient and cost-effective by sharing existing resources with the Georgia Composite Medical Board, which is already under the authority of the Community Health Department.
A individual recently called the Secretary of State’s Office and was told there were 140 calls ahead of him or her and ended up hanging up, said Rep. Lee Hawkins, R-Gainesville, who sponsored the bill.
“It’s one thing to be on hold when you have a problem with your plumbing, but if you have a health problem and hear 139 calls in front of you, that’s a problem,” Hawkins said.
The bill passed 122-46.
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