 January 2023 |
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NEW! STORIES FROM GEORGIA’S RURAL HOSPITAL CLOSURES |
| Since 2010, 9 rural hospitals have closed in Georgia. That puts Georgia third in the nation for hospital closures behind Tennessee and Texas. Rural hospitals in states that have not expanded Medicaid to low-income adults are more likely to close, shutting off access to care for their communities.
When a hospital closes in a rural community, the effects ripple through every part of community life. The hospital’s doctors and nurses move away. Residents are left without access to emergency care and other important health services. Businesses around the hospital may close—a local pharmacy, the downtown diner, or the florist.
This year GHF documented stories from community members following two local hospital closures in Glenwood and Cuthbert, Georgia. We are humbled to share both stories with you today in two videos.
Watch the Glenwood and Cuthbert stories on our Georgia Can’t Wait page. Learn more about how communities struggle when hospitals are allowed to fail, in part because of our leaders’ refusal to expand Medicaid to their uninsured constituents.
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HEALTH CARE UNSCRAMBLED 2023
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STAY IN CHARGE OF YOUR 2023 COVERAGE |
Medicaid members: Medicaid renewals are coming soon. Take steps now to stay in charge of your coverage.
Medicaid renewals are re-starting this spring. To make sure Medicaid can reach you with important information about your health coverage and renewal, update your contact information at staycovered.ga.gov.Beginning April 1st, Georgia will begin checking who is still eligible for Medicaid or PeachCare for Kids coverage. During this time, Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids members may be asked to provide more information or complete certain steps. It is very important to respond to these requests. The requests will be sent in the mail or to your email. That’s why it’s so important to update your contact information at staycovered.ga.gov!
The steps you take now will help you stay in charge of your Medicaid coverage. Give yourself and your family the best chance of continuing to see the doctor, get prescriptions, and stay healthy. |
| Don’t stress! You can still apply for coverage in some circumstances.
A special enrollment period is a time period outside of open enrollment when you can still sign up for health insurance. You may qualify for a special enrollment period if you have a life event like losing or changing jobs, getting married, or the death of a family member, among others. Depending on your life event, you may have 60 days before or 60 days following the event to enroll in health insurance so don’t delay!
Have questions or need help during this special enrollment period? Connect with health insurance navigator Deanna Williams:
More information is available on GHF’s Get Help with Health Insurance webpage. |
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ANOTHER LOOK AT GHF’S STRATEGIC PLAN |
| Goal #4: Strengthening our public health system
In July 2022, GHF’s Board of Directors and staff launched our 2022-2026 strategic plan–an ambitious blueprint for our next four years as an organization. Guided by this living document, GHF will deepen our focus on health equity; champion community-led change; build a healthy, resilient organization; and lead advocacy to strengthen Georgia’s public health systems and workforce.
Today we present the final blog in a four-part series from Executive Director Laura Colbert spotlighting each of our new strategic goals. Her fourth blog details GHF’s plans to advocate for Georgia’s public health system because of its important role protecting and boosting the health and well-being of Georgians every day–not just during pandemics. By collaborating with public health workers and community members, GHF will help build the public health systems and workforce that our state needs to close health gaps, navigate environmental and climate challenges, and move Georgia from sick care to health care
Click here to read more about GHF’s strategic goal #4.
Missed the other three blogs? Catch up and read blog #1, blog #2, and blog #3 here. |
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| Share your health care story now!
Your story matters and we are here to amplify yours. Our fellow Georgians and our lawmakers need to hear about your health challenges and victories.
Experiences like yours let lawmakers know what’s working, and what’s not, in our health care system. Your story shows our leaders why we need to change laws & policies so that health care is more affordable, accessible, and benefits our communities. Let our GHF team work with you to share your health care story.
We’re particularly interested in hearing from you if you are uninsured, enrolled in health insurance through healthcare.gov, have or had medical debt, or have Medicaid coverage. We welcome other stories too, so don’t be shy!
Share your story now! Write or record your story here. |
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