Georgia Health Initiative

**The Initiative** **We Believe in Georgia** Since 2002, we have partnered with forward-thinking, collaborative organizations in communities all across the state, working together to create a Georgia in which all people have the opportunity to attain their fullest potential for health. Today, as we consider what it means to be a leading voice on health equity, we are listening to our partners and connecting the dots between what Georgia needs and the roles the Initiative can play. With community at the heart of everything we do, we believe in a Georgia full of possibilities for all of us. **Our Story** Founded in 2002, the Initiative was born of people standing up to systems to ensure that all Georgians can achieve their fullest potential for health. Originally named Healthcare Georgia Foundation, the organization was created by the conversion of public assets resulting from the merger of two large nonprofit health insurers in the late 1990s. At the time, Georgia law did not provide for putting these assets into a fund to benefit all Georgians as most other states did. Only through the tireless work of a small group of health advocates, did the legislative and legal system finally make this right. We would not exist were it not for the watchful eye and dedicated work of Georgia’s health advocacy community, a community that we are now pleased to be part of. Today Georgia Health Initiative staff and Board work alongside our partners and collaborators to raise awareness of Georgia’s health challenges and to develop and advocate for meaningful solutions to address them.