Mark was born and raised in Macon, Georgia, and currently resides in the Augusta area. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia and his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia, also completing a master's degree in healthcare management at Harvard University School of Public Health. He and his wife Joni are active members of Warren Baptist Church and have four children.

Mark is a board-certified emergency physician who has served as the Chairman and Medical Director of the Emergency Department at Doctor’s Hospital in Augusta for over fifteen years. He is also the founder and CEO of MedNow Urgent Care Centers, with locations in the Greater Augusta and east Georgia areas. Previously, he served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps and completed additional residency training in emergency medicine and trauma at the Medical College of Georgia.

Mark Newton is the state representative serving the 127th House District, which includes parts of Augusta and Columbia County. He is the chairman of the House Special Committee on Access to Quality Health Care, vice chairman of the House Health and Human Services Committee, and serves on the Small Business Development, Transportation, and Ways & Means committees. He has also been a Majority Caucus deputy whip.

Candidate website

Said, "...announcing Georgia’s ranking as the #1 State for Business...the Governor is committed to the success and prosperity of our community."

Said, "Empowering job creators through tax reform... I’m ready to tackle Georgia’s pressing problems just like I do in the at home, in the business world..."

The candidate's website says, "In the State House, Rep. Mark Newton has worked to cut taxes, enhance educational outcomes, lower he..."

Economy

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Wants to "reestablish our energy independence."

- Wants to "reestablish our energy independence."

Energy & the Environment

Said, "Proud to serve on the House Study Committee on Certificate of Need Modernization... The goal of this study committee is to figure out ways to expand access and affordability for healthcare..."

The candidate's website says, "PBMs still operate in an essentially black box with no transparency,” he said. “There’s no way to tell how much of the rebate is going to the patient.”"

Said, "We’ve struggled with the challenges of what we can do to make a difference for our citizens” on surprise billing... The House Special Committee on Access to Quality Health Care passed the bill with one vote dissenting."

The candidate's website says, "The issue remains stuck... especially a problem with air ambulance rides, which are a prime culprit in surprise billing and are federally regulated... President Donald Trump gave a press conference in May calling for an end to surprise billing..."

The candidate's website says, "His hope is that such transparency would eventually bring pressure on insurance companies, doctors and hospitals so more doctors would sign up with insurance plans to be in network."

The candidate's website says, "The toughest problem for legislators is how to set a price point that insurance companies would owe the doctors in the event of an out-of-network treatment... So patients remain caught in the middle."

The candidate's website says, "“How can we make pain better or give patients less pain?” Mark Newton, Emergency Physician at Doctor’s Hospital said. “A lot of it was well-intentioned. Unfortunately, there’s this horrible side effect of addiction and overdose — often overdose deaths.”"

The candidate's website says, "Georgians continue to receive surprise medical bills ... State leaders say they hope to fix that."

The candidate's website says, "HB 789 would give patients more information about who’s in their insurance network if they check online with the insurer before they go to the hospital."

The candidate's website says, "Legislators have introduced legislation in the past couple of weeks related to surprise billing, and one got a hearing Monday. As of yet, no bill appears on the path to stop patients from receiving surprise bills."

The candidate's website says, "If insurance companies incorrectly mark a hospital’s doctors as in network but they aren’t, the patient can still receive a surprise bill..."

The candidate's website says, "For example, if all of a hospital’s anesthesiologists are in a plan’s network, the plan would put a green check mark next to that hospital ... So each plan would display each of its network hospitals with zero to four green check marks."

The candidate's website says, "Senate Bill 293, would stop surprise bills for patients... The sponsor, state Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, R-Rome, has been in negotiations with counterparts in the House for months."

Said, "We looked at that,” Newton said. “... if (one of your policyholders is required to pay) an out-of-network bill at that hospital, you’ve got to go back and change that green check to a red X.”"

The candidate's website says, "Georgia’s maternal mortality rate has increased since 2012, and a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report said an average of 46.2 women died during pregnancy or childbirth each year from 2011 to 2015. The national average is 17.2."

Said, "Lowering costs, empowering patients and improving outcomes are the overarching goals which this group has been tasked to achieve... we will continue to work together wisely and tirelessly for Georgians in guiding policies that improve lives all across this state."

The candidate's website says, "A House study committee co-chaired by Augusta state Rep. Mark Newton will examine data and best practices to improve Georgia’s ranking among the nation’s worst for women dying during pregnancy or childbirth."

The candidate's website says, "Augusta Rep. Mark Newton, an emergency medicine physician, is co-chairing a committee that will study Georgia’s high rate of death during pregnancy and childbirth."

The candidate's website says, "In an effort to enhance access to care while keeping healthcare costs affordable, Dr. Newton opened MedNow Urgent Care in Evans. To date, MedNow has three locations strategically placed throughout the CSRA."

The candidate's website says, "Fighting to Lower Prescription Drug Costs"

The candidate's website says, "Bill chips away at surprise medical billing in Georgia"

The candidate's website says, "Fighting to Lower Prescription Drug Costs | Dr. Mark Newton For State House District 123"

The candidate's website says, "Bill chips away at surprise medical billing in Georgia | Dr. Mark Newton For State House District 123"

Said, "I applaud the Governor’s leadership on healthcare and look forward to a healthier future for hardworking Georgians!"

The candidate's website says, "Patients seeking prompt care are fueling industry"

The candidate's website says, "Georgia House Bill 343 seeks to guarantee 50% of the discounts received by pharmacy benefit managers are transferred to the patient when the drug is sold to them..."

As State Representative, he supported House Bill 343, which "seeks to guarantee 50% of the discounts received by pharmacy benefit managers are transferred to the patient when the drug is sold to them."

Supports legislation mandating insurers to disclose online which network hospitals have in-network specialists for common independent practices, to prevent surprise billing from out-of-network doctors at in-network hospitals.

As State Representative, he proposed House Bill 789, which "would require insurers to post online which hospitals in their network have specialties performed by doctors who are in network for four of the most common independent specialties."

The candidate's website says, "The Patients First Act allows our state to craft a Georgia-centric healthcare system that enhances access to affordable, quality care... Through waivers to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, we can deliver real reform that delivers measurable results for Georgia families."

As State Representative, he supported the Patients First Act to "craft a Georgia-centric healthcare system that enhances access to affordable, quality care. Through waivers to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, we can deliver real reform that delivers measurable results for Georgia families."

The candidate's website says, "As our State Representative, he will prescribe conservative solutions to our state’s pressing healthcare challenges... Dr. Newton will work to expedite Columbia County’s hospital, strengthen Augusta University, support our hospitals, and ensure a bright and healthy future for our children and grandchildren!"

Says that " he will prescribe conservative solutions to our state’s pressing healthcare challenges. Dr. Newton will work to expedite Columbia County’s hospital, strengthen Augusta University, support our hospitals, and ensure a bright and healthy future for our children and grandchildren!"

- As State Representative, he supported House Bill 343, which "seeks to guarantee 50% of the discounts received by pharmacy benefit managers are transferred to the patient when the drug is sold to them."
- As State Representative, he proposed House Bill 789, which "would require insurers to post online which hospitals in their network have specialties performed by doctors who are in network for four of the most common independent specialties."
- As State Representative, he supported the Patients First Act to "craft a Georgia-centric healthcare system that enhances access to affordable, quality care. Through waivers to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, we can deliver real reform that delivers measurable results for Georgia families."
- Says that " he will prescribe conservative solutions to our state’s pressing healthcare challenges. Dr. Newton will work to expedite Columbia County’s hospital, strengthen Augusta University, support our hospitals, and ensure a bright and healthy future for our children and grandchildren!"

Healthcare

As of July 25, 2024, Mark Newton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Voting & Elections

The candidate's website says, "In Georgia, law enforcement can only legally destroy 150 pounds a month, so investigators are left with a stockpile growing into mountains of pills."

The candidate's website says, "“There’s way too many families who find out a loved one has died with an addiction that, often times, the patient or the individual hates and they want to deal with, but these are powerful medicines,” Newton said."

The candidate's website says, "Two-hundred and sixty-five pounds. That’s what the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and Doctor’s Hospital collected at their “Crush the Crisis” event, shedding light on the issue of opioid addiction."

The candidate's website says, "Richmond County drug vault overflowing with hundreds of pounds of collected opioids Richmond County drug vault overflowing with opioids Volume 90%"

The candidate's website says, "Dr. Mark Newton Won’t Compromise on the 2nd Amendment"

The candidate's website says, "Dr. Mark Newton Won’t Compromise on the 2nd Amendment | Dr. Mark Newton For State House District 123"

The candidate's website says, "Keeping families safe is a top priority this legislative session. These are just a few of the budget items that will enhance public safety throughout our state."

The candidate's website says, "Dr. Mark Newton will fight for our 2nd Amendment freedoms... He won’t back down to gun control advocates. Dr. Newton won’t compromise..."

He is a life member of the National Rifle Association and said he "won’t back down to gun control advocates."

- He is a life member of the National Rifle Association and said he "won’t back down to gun control advocates."
- Supports reducing immigration.

Public Safety

The candidate's website says, "Georgia continues to lag in literacy rates and the General Assembly is doing something about it. Through House Bill 538, we will ensure that students have the materials and instruction needed to learn, grow, and thrive!"

As State Representative, he supported House Bill 538, which requires the Georgia Board of Education to approve instructional materials for grades K-3, ensures the use of universal reading screeners for these grade levels, and requires a professional standards commission to students completing teaching certifications have the skills to teach reading.

- As State Representative, he supported House Bill 538, which requires the Georgia Board of Education to approve instructional materials for grades K-3, ensures the use of universal reading screeners for these grade levels, and requires a professional standards commission to students completing teaching certifications have the skills to teach reading.

Education

LinkedIn

Mark Newton

- Your state representative represents the interests of your local district in the Georgia State House of Representatives.
- Your state representative can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws. All bills dealing with the state budget originate in the Georgia House of Representatives.
- The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up our state lawmaking body: the Georgia General Assembly.
- There are 180 members of the Georgia House of Representatives, each representing a single district.
- State Representatives are elected to two-year terms. They are paid a yearly salary of $17,342. They only serve in the role part-time.