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Georgians for a Healthy Future and Georgia Women (and Those Who Stand With Us)  co-hosted Health Care Salon: Georgia’s Patients First Act in Macon on Friday July 23^rd. This community event brought together Macon residents to learn about Medicaid and Georgia’s new Patients First Act and develop health advocacy skills that can be used to build a healthier community.  

Georgia’s Medicaid program insures half of Georgia’s children, and covers some low-income people with disabilities, seniors, and pregnant women. More than thirty thousand (30,949) Bibb County residents, about 20% of the county’s population, are covered by Medicaid. Participants heard from Alyssa Green, GHF’s Outreach & Education Manager, who shared powerful testimonials from several Medicaid-covered Georgians to demonstrate the real benefits of coverage.

Alyssa also introduced Macon-ites to the Patients First Act, a new state law which could make seismic changes to health coverage in the state using two kinds of health care waivers. Participants received information about 1115 and 1332 waivers, Georgia’s expected timeline for developing the waivers, and why the waivers’ required public comment periods are so important. The four expected public comment periods are the public’s opportunities to help shape and influence the future of health care in Georgia.

At the event, attendees were able to practice ways that they can advocate for the health care issues that matter most to them, like signing up for GHF’s new Georgia Health Action Network (GHAN) program. GHAN is a volunteer-led program that supports grassroots health advocates to work alongside GHF to promote quality, affordable, accessible health care and healthier communities.

If you were unable to attend this event, be on the look-out for similar community events coming soon or contact Alyssa (agreen@healthyfuturega.org or 404-567-5016, ext. 2) to schedule one in your community. You can also contact Alyssa learn more about the Georgia Health Action Network.