LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: WEEK 3

New Medicaid Expansion Bill has Bipartisan Support

A new bill, Senate Bill 50, to expand health insurance to low-income Georgia adults was introduced in the Senate this week. For the first time since Medicaid expansion became available to states, four Republican senators joined Democrats in support of a legislative solution to close Georgia’s coverage gap! The bill would create a new program called “PeachCare Plus”. It is nearly identical to the PeachCare Plus bill introduced during last year’s legislative session, the first Medicaid expansion bill to receive a legislative hearing in Georgia. Rather than expanding the state-run Medicaid program, SB 50 would introduce a private insurance model, using federal dollars to purchase coverage for eligible individuals (adults with incomes below 138% of the federal poverty level) through Georgia’s health insurance marketplace.

Too many Georgians are forced to choose between medical care and paying their bills. Closing Georgia’s health insurance coverage gap would provide life-saving coverage to thousands of uninsured Georgians. We support this legislation and will keep you updated as it moves through the legislative process.

Read on for key takeaways from other bills on our radar, and opportunities to advocate with us and our partners at the Capitol.