Georgians for a Healthy Future is partnering with Families USA to collect and share stories from Georgians experiencing the real consequences of federal health care cuts. If Medicaid work reporting requirements, rising premiums, medical debt, or hospital closures have affected your life, we want to hear from you. Submit your interest form by September 15, 2026, and your story could reach policymakers, advocates, and the public nationwide.
Last year, Georgians for a Healthy Future partnered with Families USA to hear from Georgians who have health insurance through Medicaid or Georgia Access. We listened to powerful stories from workers, caregivers, parents, and young adults navigating an uncertain health care landscape. Four of those stories are now published and reaching policymakers, advocates, and the public nationwide.
After an on-the-job accident ended her career as a heavy equipment operator, Wanda now relies on Medicaid for her health coverage. While she is grateful for the care she can access, she continues to face barriers finding specialists who accept Medicaid.
Deborah lives in rural Troup County with major mobility issues and a range of serious health conditions. After losing her Medicaid coverage, she has felt the financial strain of managing copays on a fixed income, and carries years of medical debt from a previous period without insurance.
Cassenda is a mother of four, a community health worker, and the full-time caregiver to her daughter Amunet, who lives with type 2 diabetes and experiences seizures. Managing her daughter’s complex conditions requires regular access to medication, lab tests, and specialist visits — care that has often felt just out of reach.
Trey lives in Jesup and enrolled in Georgia Pathways to Coverage in January 2025 after facing a premium spike of more than $200 per month on his marketplace plan. He has spoken openly about the paperwork burden of work reporting requirements and the fear of losing coverage he now calls a “confidence boost” and a safety cushion.
Their stories prove what is possible when Georgians speak up. Now the stakes are even higher — and we need more voices.
You can also explore stories from people across the country on the Families USA website.
Help Protect Health Care in Georgia — Share Your Story by September 15
Georgians facing cuts to Medicaid or rising health care costs: your story matters.
Last year’s federal budget bill (also called HR1 or the “One Big Beautiful Bill”) includes work reporting requirements that will affect Medicaid coverage for Georgians. The enhanced premium tax credits that helped millions of people afford marketplace coverage have expired, leaving many facing higher costs or gaps in coverage. Hospitals in rural communities are already feeling the pressure of federal funding reductions. The stakes could not be higher, and your lived experience is the most powerful tool advocates have to make sure policymakers understand how these changes affect real people.
Who Should Participate?
We are looking for Georgians who:
Are enrolled in Pathways to Coverage/Medicaid and are subject to work reporting requirements
Have seen their premiums spike or had to reduce or cancel coverage due to rising premiums and/or the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits
Are dealing with high hospital bills or medical debt
Have been affected as a consumer or a provider by hospital changes or unit closures connected to federal Medicaid funding reductions
We especially encourage people in rural districts and communities to share their stories.
What to Expect
Complete a short interest form by September 15, 2026
If selected, take part in a 30-minute virtual interview (video preferred, audio required)
Provide a photo and consent for your story to be shared publicly
Review your story before it is published or shared
Stories may be shared with policymakers, members of the press, and on social media. Storytellers who complete all steps will receive a thank-you gift for their time.
Families USA also offers training for press interviews and congressional testimony for anyone who wants to go further in their advocacy.
If you have questions, please contact us. We are happy to help.
Together, we can protect health coverage for Georgia families and make sure your voice is heard.
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