The state selects Deloitte Consulting to fulfill the $2 million consulting contract to develop the two health care waiver plans.

Georgia’s Governor signs SB 106 into law.

Risky Health Proposal Hurtles through Gold Dome

Updated Mar. 25, 2019. Flawed legislation to expand access to health insurance is hurtling through the state legislature, and hundreds of thousands of uninsured Georgians are being left behind. Senate Bill 106, the Patients First Act, passed the Georgia Senate on Feb. 26 and advanced to the House. The proposal could expand health insurance coverage to more Georgians, though an arbitrary restriction in the bill is setting Georgia up for lengthy delays or outright failure. As currently written, the proposal could cost Georgia twice as much as alternate plans while covering only half as many Georgians with health insurance.

Earlier this year, Georgia leaders announced a plan with a risky restriction to seek federal waivers that could extend health care access across the state. Senate Bill (SB) 106, the Patients First Act, aims to partially expand Medicaid in Georgia. This change could impact individuals earning up to 100 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL): about $12,100 a year for an individual or $25,100 for a family of four. About 240,000 Georgians may eventually qualify for Medicaid coverage under the proposal.

However, restricting Medicaid eligibility to those only under the poverty line could strand hundreds of thousands of Georgians without affordable health insurance options while also forfeiting an enhanced funding deal from the federal government. That means SB 106 could cost Georgia twice as much as traditional Medicaid expansion while covering only half as many Georgians. And although the legislation is quickly advancing through the Gold Dome, the state has yet to release any estimates of how many Georgians will gain coverage or how much the plan will cost taxpayers.

How could the Patients First Act cover half as many Georgians while costing twice as much as Medicaid expansion? As part of the Affordable Care Act, the federal government agrees to pay 90 percent of the costs if states expand health care access to people earning less than 138 percent FPL—about $35,000 for a family of four. States can leverage this 9-to-1 funding match through Medicaid expansion or a state plan, called an 1115 waiver, to accomplish similar goals with more tailored approaches. Without the enhanced 90 percent match, states receive a lower funding commitment instead (about 67 percent for Georgia).

By arbitrarily limiting the state’s ability to negotiate coverage, SB 106 represents a risky gamble while Georgia’s worsening health care crisis hangs in the balance. Other states have previously submitted waivers asking for the enhanced funding match while offering to cover people up to 100 percent FPL, similar to SB 106. None were approved. Every 1115 Medicaid waiver approved under the Affordable Care Act for the enhanced match—including the most conservative examples in Arkansas, Indiana and Kentucky—expanded eligibility up to 138 percent of the poverty line. Georgia should too.

State lawmakers can fix SB 106 by allowing Medicaid eligibility up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level.

Key Points

Bottom Line

Senate Bill (SB) 106 is an unnecessarily risky proposal that threatens to leave hundreds of thousands of Georgians out of expanded health coverage and restricts Georgia from negotiating the best possible health plan.

An arbitrary restriction in SB 106 will lock Georgia to a failed approach that deprives state leaders of the flexibility needed to negotiate a strong health plan.

SB 106 may cost Georgia twice as much money while covering half as many people compared to other plans, including traditional Medicaid expansion.

A simple change to SB 106 would give Georgia a clearer, more certain path to success. State lawmakers can amend the bill to allow Medicaid eligibility up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level.

The Legislation

The Patients First Act, Georgia Senate Bill (SB) 106, would authorize the Department of Community Health to negotiate two waivers with the federal government that could improve health care in Georgia.

Senate Bill 106 would allow the Department of Community Health to request waivers to increase Medicaid coverage up to 100 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL)—about $12,000 for an individual or $25,000 for a family of four. This could potentially expand health coverage to about 240,000 Georgians.

SB 106 Leaves Hundreds of Thousands of Georgians Behind

The proposal falls far short of covering all eligible Georgians with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). Many of the Georgians who are left out will remain uninsured and continue to struggle to get the health care they need.

About 230,000 uninsured Georgians earn between 100 to 138 percent FPL and would not receive expanded coverage through Medicaid. Georgians earning more than 100 percent FPL currently qualify for financial support to buy health insurance, but many still struggle to afford coverage.

Georgia has the 4th highest number of uninsured kids in the nation, many of whom are eligible for Medicaid but remain uninsured. When more parents and caregivers are covered, more kids are more likely to be insured too.

Other plans would put health insurance cards in the pockets of almost half a million Georgians while likely still costing less than the plan authorized by SB 106.

The Critical Difference Between 100 and 138 Percent

As part of the Affordable Care Act, the federal government agrees to pay 90 percent of the costs if states expand health care access to people earning less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL)—about $35,000 for a family of four.

Without this enhanced 90 percent federal match, states receive a lower funding commitment instead. That lower match is about 67 percent for Georgia.

SB 106 Represents Unnecessarily Risky Gamble

SB 106 represents an unnecessarily risky gamble with Georgia’s health crisis in the balance. Georgia’s leaders are putting forward ideas that have previously failed in other states.

Other states have submitted waivers asking for the enhanced match while only proposing to cover people up to 100 percent FPL, similar to SB 106. None were approved.

Every 1115 Medicaid waiver approved under the Affordable Care Act for the enhanced match—including the most conservative examples in Arkansas, Indiana and Kentucky—expanded eligibility up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. Some states simply expanded Medicaid while others have developed state-specific plans called 1115 waivers to accomplish similar goals with more tailored approaches.

By restricting Medicaid eligibility to 100 percent of the poverty line, the best plan possible will likely cover half as many Georgians while costing twice as much as alternative.

The arbitrary coverage restriction in SB 106 is setting Georgia up for failure. Preventing Georgia’s 1115 waiver from helping Georgians earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level (about $35,000 for a family of four) means that our state is unlikely to get a good deal any time soon.

Unclear Proposal Could Result in Massive Changes with Limited Oversight

SB 106 gives Gov. Brian Kemp’s administration broad authority to make extensive changes to health care in Georgia without input from the legislature or public during the drafting stage.

The Governor’s plan offers no guiding principles, assurances of good governance or safeguards for fiscal responsibility.

No fiscal note or cost estimate has been provided for the proposed waivers being authorized even though this bill has been called “the most significant issue” being discussed this year

The governor’s proposal will likely result in covering fewer Georgians at a greater cost to taxpayers.

Simple Solution

There’s a simple solution for this unnecessarily risky gamble: change one number. State lawmakers can amend SB 106 to authorize an 1115 waiver up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, instead of the current 100 percent.

Or lawmakers can include a back-up plan authorizes Medicaid eligibility up to 138 percent if the current approach is rejected.

Key Questions About SB 106

How many Georgians will gain access to health insurance through the waivers authorized by SB 106?

Georgia’s uninsured rate in 2017 was 13.4 percent. How much will the proposed waivers reduce our growing uninsured rate?

About 240,000 Georgians make too little to get financial help to buy health insurance and do not currently qualify for Medicaid. This coverage gap represents people earning below the poverty line. Will the waiver offer Medicaid eligibility to everyone in this gap?

When can Georgians expect to see expanded access to health insurance from this proposal?

When will Georgians finally get a health insurance card in their pocket from this plan?

What guarantee does Georgia have that an 1115 waiver which only covers people up to the federal poverty level will receive approval from the federal government for the enhanced 9-to-1 funding match? All similar plans that were previously submitted by other states have been rejected.

Why should state lawmakers arbitrarily limit Georgia’s flexibility to negotiate the best deal possible, especially when that restriction is likely to cause significant delays or outright rejection?

If Georgia’s 1115 waiver is not approved for the enhanced federal funding match, will state leaders choose to cover half as many Georgians as traditional Medicaid expansion for twice the cost?

Will the waivers from this proposal protect Georgians with pre-existing conditions?

Will the waivers maintain essential health benefits for Georgians?

What opportunities will Georgia’s legislative branch have to review and inform the waiver proposals?

How will locking Georgia into a risky waiver approach that’s destined for long delays or failure help address our state’s pressing health care crisis?

Governor Kemp submits his first budget recommendations which includes $1 million for the Department of Community Health “to review and analyze Medicaid waiver options” for consideration by the Governor’s office. This waiver could include a pathway to health coverage for low-income Georgians.

Matt Hiltman lowered his shoulder as his horse galloped down the windswept field, kicking up clods of earth in its wake. His steel armor gleamed in the bright sun, and the audience on the sidelines roared with anticipation. Two horses and two riders fast approached each other on a collision course. The crowd fell silent as wood crumpled into metal with a loud crunch, and Matt’s lance struck true. The opponent careened off his horse and tumbled to the ground. Cheers burst out across the tournament field. Another victory for a professional jouster.

A lifelong Georgian, Matt is a world-class, full-contact jouster who competed in the sport for five years while also pursuing studies at Georgia State University. “If I had to describe myself, I would say that I’m an adrenaline junky,” said Matt. Beyond scuba diving, hang gliding and other high-octane activities, Matt’s thirst for adventure also inspired him to study diverse fields at college, including geology, chemistry, biology and history. He graduated magna cum laude from Georgia State University with a major in philosophy and minor in psychology, looking forward to a career in law or another field where he could serve the greater good.

“I’ve spent a lot of my life and a lot of time thinking about how I can best help the world,” Matt said, “And I’ve got some ideas that I’d like to share.”

The future was brimming with opportunity when Matt’s life hit an unexpected obstacle. At age 29, Matt was hospitalized due to mental illness. “He had an episode of psychosis, and it became obvious at that point that he had bipolar I,” said his mother, Dianne. In Matt’s words, “It was a major shake to my foundation … to discover that my brain is a tool that can be corrupted.”

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes intense shifts in a person’s mood, energy and ability to think clearly, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. People with bipolar disorder experience debilitating mood swings, known as mania and depression. About 4.4 percent of adults in the United States experience the disorder at some point in their lives, which generally starts showing symptoms when people reach their mid-20s.

Many treatments can help people living with bipolar disorder, including medications, therapy and lifestyle adjustments. People can lead successful lives after finding the right care regimen and combination of treatments, but that usually requires extensive trial and error. Doctors still have a limited understanding of how the brain works and how best to treat mental illness.

Once I’m healthy, I’ll be able to get out there and help people.
-Matt Hiltman

“It’s been difficult, it’s been very difficult over the last few years,” Matt said.

For Matt, health insurance has been a major barrier to finding the effective treatments that would allow him to begin recovery. Bipolar disorder caused him to lose his job and his health insurance. Untreated, the symptoms make it nearly impossible to work a full-time position with benefits. Matt doesn’t earn enough money to receive subsidies for individual health insurance, so he can’t afford coverage from the private marketplace. He also doesn’t qualify for Georgia’s current Medicaid program.

Watch Matt share his story in his own words.

“He can’t work ‘til his treatment is better,” said Dianne.

Matt sees hope in an advanced brain therapy called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. Unfortunately, he cannot receive this cutting-edge procedure without health insurance. Matt is stranded in his recovery process without any affordable health care options.

“There are several treatments that I don’t have access to because I don’t have health care insurance,” says Matt. “That’s frustrating knowing that I might feel relief . . . knowing that it’s out there, and I can’t get it, is very frustrating.”

While Matt and his family have struggled to access treatment, Georgia lawmakers have repeatedly rejected a policy that would provide affordable health coverage to Matt and almost half a million Georgians: Medicaid expansion. About 25 percent of uninsured Georgians who would qualify for coverage through Medicaid expansion suffer from mental illness or substance use disorder.

“He’s not afraid to work hard,” says Dianne. “He’s not unwilling. He just can’t right now. And there’s not anything we can do.”

A new wave of state leaders will have a fresh opportunity in 2019 to tackle Georgia’s growing health crisis and draw down federal funds to broaden health coverage. By allowing Georgians like Matt to access and afford needed medical services, lawmakers can help thousands statewide to get healthy and stay healthy. The policy is popular with the public as well, with more than 70 percent of Georgians supportive of Medicaid expansion according to recent polls.

He’s not afraid to work hard. He’s not unwilling. He just can’t right now. And there’s not anything we can do.
-Dianne Hiltman

For Matt, the idea of getting healthy brings him back to his dream of helping others. “Really it just comes down to . . . you know, once I’m healthy, I’ll be able to get out there and help people.”

Before he’s able to help others, Matt will need to find the right combination of tools to treat his mental illness. He and his family continue to pursue every possible lead, including out-of-state research studies and charity care. But without health insurance, Matt’s recovery appears stuck, and a promising future seems just beyond his reach. In the past, Matt’s hard work helped him succeed in the classroom and in the saddle. Now, his future success rests in the hands of the 236 men and women of Georgia’s General Assembly.

“Having affordable health care and health insurance would give me hope. It would give me more access to different treatments. Mostly, it would give me hope.”

If you or loved ones are living with mental illness, please consider visiting the National Alliance on Mental Illness – Georgia or calling their helpline at 770-408-0625 for more information and support.

To show your support for expanding health coverage in Georgia, please consider sending a short e-mail to your state lawmakers through an easy-to-use form.