From my years behind the pharmacy counter, I know firsthand the challenges rural communities face in accessing quality, affordable healthcare. For too many families across Georgia, accessing essential medical services can mean traveling long distances or relying on rural hospitals that are already stretched thin.

That is why I am proud to highlight a nearly $219 million investment in rural healthcare across Georgia through the Rural Health Transformation Program.

This major investment from the Trump Administration will help strengthen rural hospitals, expand access to essential services, support healthcare workforce development, and bring care closer to the families who need it most. From expanded mobile and telehealth services to improvements in maternal and behavioral healthcare, these resources will make a meaningful difference in communities across our state.

Your ZIP code should never determine the quality of care you receive. Whether you live in a large city or a small rural town, every Georgian deserves access to quality, affordable healthcare.

I commend President Trump and his administration for recognizing that a stronger healthcare system starts with stronger communities. As the only pharmacist serving in Congress, I will continue fighting to strengthen our rural hospitals, expand access to essential healthcare services, and ensure that families across Georgia's First Congressional District receive the care they need and deserve.

In this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing, we’re looking ahead to Election Day and the important work Congress still has left to accomplish before the new year, while emphasizing the importance of making your voice heard and holding your elected representatives accountable.

Monday, October 19, 2026: Yesterday, I had a live interview with Laura Ingle on NewsNation as we discussed President Trump’s visit to Georgia last Friday and the midterm elections that are coming up in two weeks. I’m on the road early this morning and headed to Vidalia in Toombs County in southeast/east-central Georgia. Originally known as “Jenkins Station”, after local landowner Warren T. Jenkins, it is not known how it became known as Vidalia. Toombs County is named for Robert Toombs, a United States Representative, Senator and Secretary of State of the Confederacy. Known as the “Sweet Onion City,” Vidalia is home to the Vidalia Onion, a uniquely sweet, mild onion grown exclusively in the region. Because of the area’s exceptionally low-sulfur soil, the flavor of the onion is exceptionally sweet and mild with virtually no sharp or pungent aftertaste. They are truly delicious. I am in Vidalia this morning with the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and Commissioner Christopher Nunn as we are awarding 17 local governments in the region with their portion of the grants that total over $40.9 million throughout the state. These are federal dollars that are allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to Georgia’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which is administered by DCA. The grants give resources to rural Georgia communities and improve neighborhood infrastructure, community facilities and improve overall quality of life. Afterwards, I meet with my good friend, State Senator Blake Tillery (R-Vidalia) who is Chair of the Senate Finance Committee before heading to the Vidalia Onion Museum, and agricultural facility dedicated to the history, cultivation, and cultural significance of the Vidalia Onion, which is Georgia’s official state vegetable. The museum includes real Vidalia onions growing in an onion field outside the museum as well as interactive displays and thematic rooms.

Rep. Carter joins DCA grant announcement 

Tuesday, October 20, 2026: After returning to St. Simons Island yesterday afternoon, I’m back on the road again and headed to Moultrie in Colquitt County. Originally known as Ochlockoney, Moultrie was incorporated in 1859 and named afer Gen. William Moultrie, the Revolutionary War hero after whom Fort Moultrie was named following the successful defense of Charleston, South Carolina, against the British. Colquitt County was named after Walter Terry Colquitt, a minister, slave owner, statesman, and lawyer who was a military leader in the mid-1800’s. During the 3-&-1/2-hour drive from St. Simons to Moultrie, I join in on our all-staff conference call. Once in Moultrie, I attend the 48th Annual Willie B Withers Luncheon & Southeastern Farmer of the Year Announcement. This luncheon serves as the opening event for the annual Sunbelt Ag Expo, a multi-day agricultural exhibition that brings together industry leaders, farmers, and community supporters. This year’s winner of the Swisher Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year is Woody Larson of Okeechobee, Florida. The Georgia State Farmer of the Year is Pete Gelber, a dairyman from Macon County, the number one county in the State of Georgia for milk production, as well as fresh peaches and sod/turf production. Afterwards, I head to the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) in Moultrie for a briefing and a tour. This medical education facility opened in 2019 and has helped to expand physician training in rural South Georgia, an area that has had a long-standing physician shortage. The original goal of training students who will remain in Southwest Georgia to practice is being met and therefore helping to strengthen rural healthcare. After a great visit, I have a phone conference with a pharmacy advocate to discuss the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) newly proposed rules and regulations governing Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM’s) that are a result of legislation that I sponsored in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026. Next, I head to Tifton in Tift County where I have the opportunity to speak to the Southwell Hospital Board during their monthly meeting. Southwell’s healthcare network serves the South-Central Georgia region and operates two main hospitals, four ambulatory surgery centers and more than 30 physician practices.

Rep. Carter attends 48th Annual Willie B. Withers Luncheon

Wednesday, October 21, 2026: I’m in downtown Brunswick this morning as I am honored to receive recognition from the Brunswick/Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce (BGIC) as well as bring them up to date on Washington issues at their monthly board meeting. BGIC is a great organization that serves as the voice of business for Brunswick, St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, Sea Island and Little St. Simons Island. After a phone conference with a constituent to discuss a federal issue, I head to Garden City in West Chatham County to the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) where I join in on a roundtable discussion with the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) and Association of American Railroads (AAR) to discuss port issues. GPA is the economic engine of not only Southeast Georgia, but of the entire Southeast U. S. with its impact being felt all the way to the Ohio Valley. After a great meeting, I head to downtown Savannah where I meet with the President and CEO of the Georgia Historical Society (GHS), Dr. Todd Groce. GHS is the oldest continuously operating historical society in the American South and one of the oldest in the United States. Next, I head back to our Brunswick office where I film this week’s edition of Buddy’s Briefing.

Rep. Carter attends Port of Savannah event

Thursday, October 22, 2026: I’m back on the road this morning and headed to Macon in Bibb County in middle Georgia and during the drive have a conference call with a healthcare executive from the district. Once in Macon, I attend the 13th Annual Salute to Georgia Sheriffs event, that not only honors all of our 159 Sheriffs throughout the State but also helps celebrate the Sheriff of the Year. This year’s winner is long time McDuffie County Sheriff Logan Marshall. I had the opportunity to speak to Sheriff Marshall at the gathering and share with him how I spent a couple of weeks every summer staying with my cousins in very rural McDuffie County. Afterwards, I head to Perry in Houston County where I join Republican Gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson for an event before heading to Norcross in Gwinnett County northeast of Atlanta for an event with Georgia Republican Lt. Governor candidate Greg Dolezal and Attorney General candidate Brian Strickland.    

Rep. Carter attends 13th Annual Salute to Georgia Sheriffs event

One of America’s earliest major planned industrial communities was built in Georgia. In the 1800s, Roswell was developed around textile mills, with homes, churches and other community institutions growing alongside the industry.