Senate attaches autism language to cancer drug bill
Newly created cancer drugs that can be taken orally would be less expensive under legislation approved unanimously Thursday by the Georgia Senate.
The chamber, however, attached a separate piece of legislation to House Bill 943 that would require health insurance policies sold in Georgia to cover behavioral therapy for children 6 and under who have been diagnosed with autism.
The bill otherwise would require insurance companies that provide coverage for intravenous cancer medications to charge no more than a $200 co-pay for medications taken orally. Most plans in the state cover no more than 70 percent or 80 percent of the cost, which can be as high as $10,000 according to the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Lee Hawkins, R-Gainesville.
The House must now agree to the Senate’s changes before final passage.
— Kristina Torres
Deal signs bill benefiting bars on St. Patrick’s Day
Gov. Nathan Deal signed a measure into law aimed at allowing Sunday alcohol sales in bars on St. Patrick’s Day, giving barkeeps a reason to cheer days before the celebration.
Senate Bill 318 was requested by council members in Savannah, the host of one of the nation’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parades.
State law already allows Sunday sales of alcohol for on-site consumption in restaurants in Savannah and elsewhere, but the bill expands the law to allow bars to serve on Sunday afternoons that fall within St. Patrick’s Day weekend as well.
— Greg Bluestein
Flint River bill headed to governor
The Georgia Senate gave final approval Thursday to a compromise that addresses how the state protects threatened wildlife when drought hits the Flint River basin.
Senate Bill 213 now heads to Gov. Nathan Deal for his signature.
The bill originally would have given the state power to restrict farmers from drawing water from the basin during dry spells. Environmental groups saw it as a threat to long-standing Georgia water law and an intrusion of private property rights.
Instead, SB 213 now would affect only four streams in southwest Georgia where water is occasionally added to protect threatened wildlife. It could prevent individuals from siphoning water from those streams if water was added to protect aquatic life.
The Senate passed the bill by a 48-2 vote after the House passed the bill Wednesday.
— Kristina Torres
About the Author
