Governor Brian Kemp Issues Executive Orders Expanding Rural Healthcare and Public Integrity Oversight

ATLANTA, GA — Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed multiple executive orders within the Executive Chamber, implementing targeted governance actions to strengthen rural hospital staffing, maintain municipal public integrity, and fill key superior court judicial vacancies.

Strengthening Healthcare in Underserved Rural Counties

Executive Order 08.24.26.01 authorizes the Georgia Department of Community Health to deploy $15 million through the Rural Healthcare Workforce Initiative, providing medical school tuition loan repayment grants up to $100,000 for primary care physicians, OB-GYNs, and emergency room nurses who commit to five years of service in counties with populations under 50,000. Governor Kemp also appointed specialized review panels under statutory integrity codes to ensure transparent governance in local municipal boards.

Governor Kemp emphasized that expanding access to quality healthcare in every corner of Georgia is essential to keep rural communities healthy, growing, and economically prosperous.

Hospital Associations and Rural Civic Leaders Endorse

The Georgia Hospital Association (GHA) praised the loan forgiveness program, highlighting severe clinical staffing shortages in rural community emergency rooms.

Rural chamber of commerce federations commended the proactive state investments in community hospital infrastructure.

Program Application Schedule

The Department of Community Health will begin accepting rural physician loan repayment applications on September 15, 2026.