Rep. Mark Newton to Serve as Chairman of House Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Community Health and Healthcare Oversight

ATLANTA - State Representative Mark Newton, MD (R-Augusta), chairman of the House Appropriations Higher Education Subcommittee, was appointed by House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) to serve as the chairman of the House Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Community Health and Healthcare Oversight.

"Throughout my career in healthcare and my work in the legislature, I have seen firsthand how critical a strong healthcare system is to the wellbeing of every individual and family in Georgia," said Rep. Newton. "This study committee gives us an important opportunity to examine how our state supports community health, identify gaps in care and consider practical steps to strengthen services for the future, and I am honored to lead the study committee's work as its chairman."

The House Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Community Health and Healthcare Oversight will evaluate Georgia's overall healthcare landscape to improve access, strengthen patient protections and identify practical policy solutions to enhance outcomes, efficiency and accountability across the state.

Speaker Burns also appointed the following study committee members: State Representatives Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville), Alan Powell (R-Hartwell), Rob Leverett (R-Elberton), Devan Seabaugh (R-Marietta), Derrick McCollum (R-Chestnut Mountain), Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville), Anissa Jones (D-Macon), Debbie Buckner (D-Junction City) and Billy Mitchell (D-Stone Mountain).

More information about 2026 study committees may be found here.

Meeting notices, agendas and additional details for 2026 study committee meetings will be posted here.

Representative Mark Newton represents the citizens of District 127, which includes portions of Columbia and Richmond counties. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2016 and currently serves as the Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education. He also serves on the Defense & Veterans Affairs, Health, Rules, Small Business Development, Transportation, Ways & Means and Urban Affairs committees.

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