Community and Government Affairs

Community benefit report

We know Georgians are counting on us to make a difference—both in the lives of kids and in the strength of our communities. In 2018, Children's provided $229.5 million in community benefit, serving more than 430,000 children. We serve kids from all 159 counties in Georgia.

Medicaid’s impact on us
A reduction to the Medicaid budget means vital services would be at risk.

In 2018, we provided $120.7 million in care to families who could not cover the costs of their care. Patients who received this care include the uninsured and also children covered by Medicaid, for whom we are reimbursed less than what it costs to provide care.

We receive payment that is less than cost. Children comprise almost 60 percent of the Medicaid enrollment, but make up less than one quarter of spending.

For every 1 percent reduction in Medicaid provider payments, Children's is negatively impacted by approximately $6.3 million.

Our economic impact on the state
Children's directly employs more than 11,500 and serves patients from all 159 counties, making our impact on Georgia’s economy significant.

Our impact on children
Children's operates three hospitals, Marcus Autism Center, Center for Advanced Pediatrics and 26 neighborhood locations, including eight Urgent Care Centers.

In 2018, Children's:

• Saw 430,868 unique patients.
• Managed 27,074 hospital discharges.
• Performed 43,333 surgical procedures (inpatient and outpatient)

When kids need care, most parents turn to our Emergency Department, where in 2018 we had 243,709 visits.

• The Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center at Egleston hospital and Level 2 Pediatric Trauma Center at Scottish Rite hospital give Children’s the only designated pediatric trauma centers in the state.
• In 2018, more than 22,000 children visited our Emergency Departments for trauma care, and we treat about 60 percent of pediatric trauma patients in the state.

Studies show children need specialists.

• Children’s is ranked among the nation’s top pediatric hospitals in all 10 specialties in U.S. News & World Report’s 2019-20 edition of “Best Children's Hospitals.”
• There are a limited number of board-certified pediatric physiatrists in the U.S., and we have three on staff.
• In 2018, we performed more than 43,333 surgical procedures—more than any other children’s hospital in the country.
• Through the use of specialized cameras and live video, our telemedicine specialists provide consultations and evaluations to children who do not have access to a pediatric specialist close to their homes.
• In addition to educating hundreds of trainees through our own research and treatment programs, we are teaching professionals around the world how to diagnose and treat children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

A 2016 study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation reports that the health of Georgia's children ranks 42nd in the nation. Children's is taking a lead on improving this ranking as part of our dedication to making kids better today and healthier tomorrow.

Children's is an academic, strategic or research partner with Emory University School of Medicine, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Cancer Coalition and the Medical College of Georgia.

Download a PDF of our 2018 Community Benefit Report

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has a long tradition of community involvement. From employee volunteers to community outreach efforts, we strive to reach outside our hospital walls to educate and support families with clinical services in many neighborhoods around Atlanta.

Our community development officers collaborate with community leaders and support Children’s services and mission with local outreach activities. They work to develop community engagement plans that create recognition and acceptance for Children’s as the area's premier pediatric healthcare provider.

This includes developing relationships with local governments, corporate employers, school systems, donors, volunteers and patient families for the purpose of linking Children’s services and programs to the communities it serves.

Organize a fundraiser or service project

Are you a member of a service, professional or social group looking for a charity to support? Or are you part of a business or organization that coordinates philanthropic events? Consider designating Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta as your beneficiary. Big or small, your fundraisers—everything from road races and cycling events to golf and tennis tournaments, food and wine tastings and black-tie affairs—can help us meet the critical needs of the young patients at Children’s.

Learn more about how you can fundraise for Children’s

In 2013, Children’s conducted its first Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). With input from a broad range of truly remarkable healthcare leaders passionate about the interests of children and adolescents, we identified and prioritized pediatric community health needs to help advance the health and wellness of children and adolescents within our community. All 10 of the health needs identified in the 2013 CHNA have been addressed by programs and services at Children’s.

To continue to advance the health and wellness of children and adolescents within our community, we conducted our second CHNA in 2016. The assessment helps Children’s better understand the needs of the pediatric healthcare community, informs our community benefit activities and influences our strategic planning efforts. Our Board of Trustees has adopted the 2017-2019 Community Health Needs Implementation Plans for Egleston and Scottish Rite hospitals and is committed to expanding and leveraging our existing programs, services and resources to improve the health of children in our community. 

• Download 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment

Our community boards are composed of local business, community and nonprofit leaders who are not only dedicated to community service, but also focused on the needs and well-being of children in their communities. Board members work as advocates and liaisons between the community and Children's.

As liaisons, they often voice the needs and concerns of the community to Children's, expressing how the healthcare system can better serve the community. The Children's Community Board plays a vital role in advancing the Children's mission of making children better today and healthier tomorrow.

Meet our 2019 community board members:

Many aspects of healthcare are regulated by government policy, and there are opportunities for policies to affect the way a healthcare entity operates.

Because Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is one of the largest pediatric healthcare systems in the nation—and the largest provider of Medicaid services in Georgia—we must remain focused on public policy issues at the federal and state levels.

The government controls how many rooms and beds Children’s has, certain qualifications staff must meet and, in large part, how Children's is paid for its services. Our Government Affairs department works with state and federal officials to find legislative solutions for the issues affecting Children’s and to advance effective health policies for Georgia’s children. In addition, public policy plays an integral role in the daily operations at Children’s.

Each year, the Georgia General Assembly meets to review and pass legislation, and the Children’s Government Affairs team closely monitors legislation concerning child health and healthcare. Our Government Affairs team writes bills and speaks before the General Assembly to represent the needs of patients at Children's and children statewide.

At the federal level, the department works with members of the Georgia congressional delegation as well as other key congressional members to advocate for programs and supporting the drafting of legislation that positively impacts the health of Georgia’s children. Additionally, the department manages the relationships with all the federal agencies to influence federal policy.