Cover Georgia Coalition Applauds New Health Coverage Commission Appointments

Statement from the Cover Georgia coalition: The Cover Georgia coalition applauds the appointments made by Governor Kemp and legislative leaders to the Comprehensive Health Coverage Commission. Established by HB 1339, the Commission will spend the next 18 months advising state leaders and policy makers about issues related to access and quality of health care for low-income and uninsured Georgians.  The Cover Georgia coalition looks forward to the Commission’s work to study opportunities and find solutions

CMS Requests More Information about Georgia’s Proposed Changes to Private Insurance

  Reposted from Georgians for a Healthy Future: https://healthyfuturega.org/2021/06/16/cms-requests-more-information-about-georgias-proposed-changes-to-private-insurance/   On June 3rd, 2021, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) sent a letter to Governor Kemp requesting additional data on the potential impacts of the Georgia Access Model. The Georgia Access Model was put forward by Kemp in his 1332 private insurance waiver, and the model would end access to healthcare.gov for Georgia consumers.   CMS is requesting additional data from the state

CHCC Meeting Recap: Low Pathways Participation Takes Center Stage

On September 5th, Georgia’s Comprehensive Health Coverage Commission (CHCC) held its second meeting. The CHCC, created by state leaders this past spring, is tasked with exploring ways to improve health care access for low-income and uninsured Georgians.  If you missed the first meeting, you can catch up by reading our July recap blog. You can watch a recording of the September 5th meeting here.  Key focus of the meeting: Georgia Pathways to Coverage and enrollment

Wooden blocks with health care icons

CHCC Meeting Recap: Framework for Exploring Coverage Solutions Introduced

On Thursday, November 14th, Georgia’s Comprehensive Health Coverage Commission (CHCC) held its 3rd meeting of the year. The CHCC was created by the Georgia legislature earlier this year to study the state’s health care coverage programs and identify opportunities to improve access and coverage for low-income and uninsured Georgians. The Commission is scheduled to deliver its initial report to the General Assembly on December 1st of this year. Missed the first 2 meetings? Catch up

Celebrating Medicaid’s 56th Birthday with Schitt’s Creek gifs!

This month marks the 56th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson signing Medicaid and Medicare into law through the Social Security Act of 1965. Over the past five decades, Medicaid has become a bedrock of Georgia’s health care system, promoting the health and well-being of Georgians. Because of Medicaid, Georgians like Travis are afforded access to essential medical care and long-term health benefits. Today, let’s celebrate Medicaid and all it has done and continues to

Judge’s wooden gavel on judicial bench, scales of justice and flag of US in background.

After recent court decision, Georgia is once again at a crossroads for expanding coverage to low-income Georgians

  In 2019, Gov. Brian Kemp proposed a plan that would limit new Medicaid coverage to a much more restricted number of Georgians. The Governor’s plan would impose debunked “proof of work” requirements and require unaffordable premiums for some enrollees. The Trump administration approved the complete plan in 2020. In December 2021 the Biden administration changed its approval to disallow the burdensome work requirements and premiums. You can read more about the back-and-forth over the

A Medicaid move worth celebrating!

Medicaid has been a fundamental part of Georgia’s health care system for 54 years. Medicaid covers half of Georgia kids, half of births in the state, and three out of four Georgians in long-term care (like nursing homes). Without Medicaid, low-income Georgia families would have no access to affordable, quality health care.

A Health Insurance Card in Every Georgian’s Pocket

This blog originally posted at GBPI.org Thousands of Georgians are stuck without any affordable options for health insurance because state leaders repeatedly reject billions of dollars meant to pay for coverage. About 240,000 workers, students, veterans and other Georgians make too little to get financial help to buy health insurance and do not currently qualify for Medicaid. The majority of these Georgians are working in low-wage jobs where they are not offered health benefits. Georgia