The Georgia Council for Recovery calls on Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia General Assembly to establish a dedicated account within the State Budget to ensure that all money received from fines imposed by Commissioner John King, or any other agent of state government, be legally dedicated to advancing community led programs to support Georgians impacted by Behavioral Health medical issues.

These dollars are being received as a result of the flagrant abuse and disregard of the law by a number of bad actors within the insurance community. These dollars must be dedicated to programs to help those Georgians who are continually unable to get the help need for their substance use disorder and mental health medical issues.

It is important that Governor Brian Kemp and the General Assembly send a message of professionalism and respect by taking appropriate legal steps to dedicate these funds to the exclusive use of community-led programs, administered by the appropriate state agencies, to honor the pain suffered by so many people in communities across Georgia.

“The Georgia Council for Recovery urges Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia General Assembly to take bold and swift action to ensure the integrity of funds secured via fines from those who refuse to follow federal and state law. These funds must be used to support Georgia families who have suffered medical harm due to the failure of certain entities,” said Laurisa Guerrero, Executive Director of the Georgia Council for Recovery.

“It is abhorrent that there are fines in the first place. Let me provide clarity: it is a pro-family position to expect these funds to be legally directed to community-led programs that help those who have suffered too much and for too long. It is also pro-Georgia to stand with those who need and deserve support and help with these dollars,” said Jeff Breedlove, Strategic Policy Advisor of the Georgia Council for Recovery.