NE Georgia Health System acquires Barrow hospital

Gainesville-based NGHS announced it had reached an agreement to acquire Barrow Regional Medical Center in Winder effective Saturday. Read the full article: Gainesville Times

CTCA renewing its campaign for growth

The Cancer Treatment Centers of America has launched a multimedia campaign to convince legislators to relax state rules on how medical facilities can be built or expanded. Read the full article: Newnan Times-Herald

Rockdale employees complain about being denied insurance

One of the issues facing  Rockdale commissioners in 2017 will be how to handle the complaints of employees who, for one reason or another, were denied county insurance during the recent enrollment period. Read the full article: Rockdale Citizen

Memorial-Mercer med school partnership helps young docs find careers

A Memorial Health partnership with its medical school, the Mercer University School of Medicine, is helping Dr. Daniel Gordon to fulfill his goals and to fill the unmet need for more family medicine physicians in Georgia. Read the full article: Savannah Morning News

Gwinnett lawmakers discussing school health care

Two state lawmakers who represent portions of Gwinnett said they expect the issue of how to improve failing schools to move toward the health care realm. Read the full article: Gwinnett Daily Post

Governor lifts drought-related fireworks ban

Christmas came a little early for fireworks retailers in Georgia, as Gov. Nathan Deal rescinded a drought-related ban on the ignition of fireworks in time for consumers to stock up for New Year celebrations. Read the full article: Athens Banner-Herald

Trump’s pick of Price divides physicians

The concerns about Rep. Tom Price voiced by dissident doctors do not appear to imperil his Senate confirmation, but they do ensure that his confirmation hearings next month will be as contentious as any held for a Trump nominee. Read the full article: New York Times

Ga. GOP leaders hope to avoid snags over ‘bed tax’

Georgia’s governor and legislative leaders hope to quickly extend an annual tax on hospitals that covers a large share of state health care expenses when lawmakers return to the Capitol in January. Read the full article: Associated Press