Blog

Psychiatrist talking to patient with mental disorder and suicidal thoughts sitting on room floor

This National Suicide Prevention Month: how Medicaid expansion supports the mental health of Georgians

September is recognized as National Suicide Prevention Month One in four uninsured Georgians who also have low-incomes have a mental illness and/or addiction to drugs or alcohol. Right now, these Georgians often cannot access health services to help them recover except through our state’s limited mental health safety net. These Georgians–our friends and neighbors–could be covered and find better help if Georgia leaders expanded Medicaid to low-income adults.

Georgians for a Healthy Future September 19, 2023
Empty Hospital Operating Theater Ready For Surgery

Georgia rural hospital leader calls for Medicaid expansion!

Since 2010, 10 rural hospitals have closed in Georgia. That puts Georgia fifth in the nation for hospital closures. Rural hospitals in states that have not expanded Medicaid to low-income adults are more likely to close, shutting off access to care for their communities and residents.

Georgians for a Healthy Future August 24, 2023

Georgia’s Pathways Program: What you need to know

Georgia is one of 10 states that has not yet expanded Medicaid. Our leaders’ in action leaves thousands of low-income Georgia adults without health insurance. Instead of expanding Medicaid, Governor Kemp created a new program called Georgia Pathways to Coverage. This program will cover some low-income adults, but it has a lot of rules and requirements. To qualify for Pathways, you must meet all of these four requirements: Be a U.S. citizen or a qualified

Georgians for a Healthy Future July 20, 2023
Pretty young business woman using her digital tablet while sitting next to the window in the office.

Medicaid celebrates its 58th year on July 30th!

Cover Georgia celebrates the 58th anniversary of Medicaid this Sunday, July 30th! Fifty-eight (58) years ago Medicaid was signed into law and since then has worked to provide affordable health care coverage to low-income children and families, pregnant people, people with disabilities, and seniors. One of Medicaid’s biggest lifetime achievements has been to narrow racial disparities in health care access all across the country. This year, Medicaid’s birthday is happening amidst two BIG changes for

Georgians for a Healthy Future July 20, 2023
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

Georgians for a Healthy Future October 26, 2022

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.

Georgians for a Healthy Future April 15, 2022

Doing Nothing is Not an Option: Georgia Must Decide How to Move Forward After Key Decision from Biden Administration

Background: In 2019, Georgia submitted a plan to the Centers Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to expand Medicaid to a certain subset of Georgians. Under the plan, called the Georgia Pathways waiver, the state planned to allow individuals aged 19-64 making up to 100% of the federal poverty line (FPL) ($12,880 for an individual and $17,420 for a family of 2) to apply for Medicaid coverage. The Georgia Pathways plan also required these newly eligible

Georgians for a Healthy Future January 12, 2022

New survey data shows strong support for Medicaid expansion in Georgia across political party

Georgia Democrats have campaigned for Medicaid expansion over the past decade, with strong support among their voters. Georgia Republicans have been more hesitant to embrace the policy, which would allow low-income adults and parents to access health care through Medicaid. New polling commissioned by Georgians for a Healthy Future finds that the support for expansion today goes far beyond Democrats. A strong majority supports expansion, suggesting that expansion in 2022 would benefit incumbents running for

Georgians for a Healthy Future November 8, 2021

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

Georgians for a Healthy Future July 30, 2021

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

Georgians for a Healthy Future June 16, 2021

Most recent