State Representative Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners), who serves as chairman of the House Information and Audits Committee, has received the 2025 Legislator with Heart Award from the American Heart Association. The award recognizes his efforts to make tobacco cessation tools more accessible for Medicaid members in Georgia.
“I am incredibly grateful to the American Heart Association for this generous recognition,” said Rep. Hilton. “Tobacco use is a preventable cause of chronic illness and costs our state millions each year. We’re hopeful that House Bill 506 will pass the Senate this session and help improve health outcomes while saving taxpayer dollars.”
During the 2025 legislative session, Hilton led initiatives to remove barriers in Medicaid such as cost-sharing requirements and worked to ensure coverage for counseling services related to quitting tobacco. His main legislative effort, House Bill 506, would require the Department of Community Health to offer Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation treatments. The bill passed the House with bipartisan support but was tabled in the Senate; it may be reconsidered during the 2026 session.
The American Heart Association, which marked its centennial in 2024, works toward longer and healthier lives by supporting research, advocacy, and public health resources. More information about their work can be found at www.heart.org.
Jon G. Burns is a Republican elected to represent Georgia’s 159th House District since 2005, succeeding Ray Holland.
