Groundbreaking at new freestanding Atrium Health Floyd Emergency Room in Trion earlier this year

Americans for Prosperity-Georgia, a conservative political action group, is calling for an end to the Certificate of Need program in Georgia that requires healthcare providers to apply with the state and prove need before being granted permission to build a healthcare facility like the freestanding emergency room planned for Chattooga County.

Americans for Prosperity is a group founded by billionaire brothers David and Charles Koch.  The group spends millions of dollars each election cycle promoting conservative causes across the country.

Georgia’s Certificate of Need program has been in place since the late 1970’s, when it was established by the Georgia General Assembly.

Proponents of Certificates of Need say that the oversight by the state prevents over-saturation by health care providers in the more prosperous areas of the state and encourages medical facilities in low-income and rural counties, like Chattooga County.