Georgia lawmakers pass health workforce bills but leave gaps

The Georgia Legislature concluded its 2026 session late Thursday, moving a series of high-profile health bills to Governor Brian Kemp’s desk. The legislature approved a $933 million budget for the Department of Public Health for fiscal 2027, which starts in July.  HIV prevention drugs and birth control will be easier to get, with pharmacists allowed to prescribe them, and the state’s school day cellphone ban will be extended to high schools, among the bills sent to Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature. Some health advocates were disappointed that lawmakers did not create a certification for community health workers.