Issues
Coverage
We advocate public policies to extend health care coverage to more Georgians. There is a preponderance of evidence in the health policy literature documenting the important role that health insurance plays in obtaining necessary care, yet 1.6 million Georgians, 18 percent of the state’s population, lack health insurance.
Access
We support measures to expand access to essential health care services. In addition to health insurance, structural features of the health care delivery system such as the number and geographic distribution of primary care providers, care coordination and medical homes, and the availability of trauma and acute care services impact the utilization of necessary medical services.
Affordability
We advocate for health care affordability. In 2007, more than 1.1 million Georgians reported not seeing a doctor in the previous 12 months because of the cost, adversely impacting access to care. Health care costs have been outpacing overall inflation and wage growth, placing significant strain on family budgets, employers, and government.
Quality
We believe that Georgia can significantly improve the quality of health care within our state. Georgia ranked in the bottom quartile on a recent nationwide state scorecard of health system performance, yet the receipt of timely and appropriate screenings, preventive services, and treatments can result in earlier diagnoses, coordinated care, better health outcomes, and overall savings for consumers, employers, and state government.
Health Reform
We advocate for comprehensive health reform in Georgia. Increased coverage, expanded access, affordability standards, and high quality are essential features of Georgia’s healthy future. We proactively develop policy ideas to address our state’s health care challenges and advocate on behalf of Georgia’s health care consumers to implement these ideas.
