Rep. Michelle Au Appointed to House Study Committee on Alternatives to Opioids for Pain Management

ATLANTA - State Representative Michelle Au (D-Johns Creek) was recently appointed by Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) to serve on the House Study Committee on Alternatives to Opioids for Pain Management.

"As an anesthesiologist and a legislator, I'm honored to be selected by Speaker Burns to sit on the House Study Committee on Alternatives to Opioids for Pain Management," said Rep. Au. "As healthcare providers, my colleagues and I work on the frontlines of the national opioid epidemic, and it is incumbent upon policy makers to consider innovative, proven and compassionate therapies to treat acute and chronic pain while mitigating risk. This is precisely the type of work I've been trained to do, and I'm honored to join my colleagues on this study committee as we get to work for our state and our patients."

The House Study Committee on Alternatives to Opioids for Pain Management was established following the adoption of House Resolution 1360 during the 2024 legislative session. The study committee will explore methods to increase awareness of non-opioid alternatives, including non-opioid pharmacologic treatments, through educational programs for healthcare providers. The committee aims to foster collaboration and integrated care among all healthcare providers involved in pain management. Additionally, the committee may propose legislative recommendations before the 2025 legislative session.

Speaker Burns also appointed the following study committee members: State Representatives Katie Dempsey (R-Rome), Butch Parrish (R-Swainsboro), Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville), Lynn Gladney (D-Augusta) and Mark Newton (R-Augusta). Mr. Jeff Breedlove, Mr. Michael Persley, Dr. Armin Oskouei, Mr. Jesse Weathington and Mr. Adam Kaye will serve as the non-legislative members.

Representative Michelle Au represents the citizens of District 50, which includes portions of Fulton County.She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and currently serves on the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Public Health and Special Rules committees. She is also the co-chair of the bi-partisan General Assembly Working Group on Addiction and Recovery.

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