Medicaid and PeachCare Redesign
In 2012, the Department of Community Health (DCH), the state agency that administers Georgia’s Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids™ programs, underwent an evaluation of these programs and an assessment of how other states manage their Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs with an eye towards Medicaid “redesign.” The Department’s stated goals for the assessment were: 1) improve health care outcomes for members, 2) enhance the appropriate use of services by members, and 3) achieve long-term sustainable savings in services.
Health care consumer and patient advocates closely monitored this process to ensure that these programs are strong and that they are structured to best meet the needs of vulnerable children and families, particularly since these critical programs are frequently targeted for budget cuts. As part of this community, Georgians for a Healthy Future is engaged in this process as part of three collaborative policy research, education, and advocacy efforts. While full-scale redesign of the Medicaid and PeachCare programs is no longer under consideration, other changes are being discussed. Georgians for a Healthy Future continues to monitor potential policy changes to Medicaid and PeachCare for their impact on vulnerable populations in Georgia. Information about some of our specific collaborative advocacy projects is available below:
