The Statesboro stop kicked off Bottoms’ multiday “Southeast Georgia Health Care Tour.”
STATESBORO, Ga. —
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms began a three-day campaign tour through southeast and coastal Georgia on Wednesday, centered around healthcare.
Bottoms, a former Atlanta mayor, opened the tour in Statesboro, where she met with medical professionals and community leaders to discuss the challenges patients face in rural communities.
“We hit the road really early this morning,” Bottoms said as she walked in. “We’ve got a full day packed — on through Saturday.”
During the meeting, local healthcare providers said limited transportation is among the most significant obstacles for rural patients who need regular or emergency medical care.
“Getting them that transportation to dialysis or the hospital is very challenging,” one provider said.
Participants also raised concerns about rural hospital closures, which can force patients to travel long distances for care.
“A mom might be ready to deliver, and someone has to drive — or she has to drive herself in labor 40 minutes to make it to a hospital,” another provider said.
Even when transportation services are available, providers said unpaved roads and a lack of infrastructure in rural areas can make reaching patients difficult.
Bottoms said she would push to expand Medicaid eligibility in Georgia if elected, a proposal she has emphasized throughout her campaign.
“Expanding Medicaid is a top priority, and it does transcend party lines,” Bottoms said.
Asked whether she has an alternative plan if expansion does not pass, Bottoms said she would continue pushing the proposal.
“We’re going to keep trying until it passes,” she said. “Failure is not an option.”
Bottoms’ Republican opponent, Rick Jackson, is also campaigning in South Georgia this week, with stops scheduled in Blakely, Thomasville and St. Marys. In a statement to WJCL 22 News on Wednesday, his campaign criticized Bottoms’ record.
“Keisha Lance Bottoms can’t be trusted on health care,” the campaign said. “While Rick Jackson was partnering with Gov. Brian Kemp to save lives during COVID, Keisha Lance Bottoms was failing Atlanta.”
WJCL requested additional details from Jackson’s campaign about his health care proposals but had not received them as of publication.
Bottoms is scheduled to continue the tour with stops in Jesup, Richmond Hill and other areas of the Southeast before attending the Democratic Party of Georgia’s state convention Saturday in Savannah.
Source: wjcl.com