Capitol Beat News Service

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Advocates told lawmakers that expiring federal pandemic funds and budget cuts are creating instability for health programs.

A House study committee is considering more state funding, acknowledging that public health saves money and supports the economy.

Experts testified that underfunding disproportionately affects rural areas, which could see hospital closures and a loss of health workers.

ATLANTA — Public health services save Georgia money and heartache, but funding has failed to keep up with costs and recent federal cutbacks put the state at a crossroads, lawmakers heard from advocates and experts Tuesday.

Expiring federal dollars from the COVID-19 pandemic, clawbacks of federal grants and now the Congressional budget shutdown have aff

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