Sen. Hunter Hill (R-Atlanta) last week introduced Senate Bill 123, legislation that would strengthen patient choice and access in Georgia. SB123 seeks to remedy the unintended consequences of legislation introduced in 2008, which imposed restrictions on destination cancer hospitals and limited their in-state patients to 35 percent of their total patient base and capped the facility at 50 beds.

Senate Bill 123 was sent to the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services.

"With this bill, we are standing up for Georgians who have received or will receive the horrendous diagnosis of cancer," said Sen. Hill. "Our current state law prevents some Georgians from receiving cancer treatment at the hospital of their choice. SB 123 changes this. I don't want Georgia to be known as the state that restricts access to treatment that is close to home."

Speak Now Georgia is a coalition of cancer survivors, patients, their families, advocates and allies. The coalition was launched to generate awareness of the statue within 2008 legislation that has had the unintended consequence of limiting access for Georgians to quality healthcare that is close to home. A groundswell of grassroots support has helped to bring attention to the issue.

"As a cancer survivor, I want to thank Sen. Hill for his perseverance and support and for bringing this bill forward. I am passionate about Speak Now Georgia, because I want to fight for my fellow Georgians who will receive a cancer diagnosis. I know what they are experiencing, and the last thing they need is to be turned away from the treatment of their choice," said Jennifer Thigpen, Speak Now Georgia.