Imagine a Georgia where every family has access to affordable health care, where mental health services are readily available, and where no one falls through the cracks of a complex system. Achieving this vision requires bold ideas, collaborative solutions, and voices from every corner of the state. That’s exactly what happened on January 14, 2025, at Georgians for a Healthy Future’s 15th Annual Health Care Unscrambled.
With over 200 advocates, policymakers, and public health experts gathered at the Georgia Freight Depot, the event served as a catalyst for action, offering actionable insights and solutions to the challenges shaping Georgia’s health care landscape.
A Day of Impactful Voices and Visionary Insights
The energy in the room was electric! The event kicked off with a keynote address from Hemi Tewarson, JD, MPH, Executive Director of the National Academy for State Health Policy. She delivered a compelling perspective on how Georgia can innovate and lead in health care reform. The keynote conversation was facilitated by GHF’s Executive Director, Laura Colbert, who guided the discussion to emphasize the significance of these issues for Georgians.
Hemi TawarsonLaura Colbert
Her keynote address focused on:
Strengthening Medicaid systems to ensure enrollment and retention.
Tackling youth mental health challenges with urgency and innovation.
Using lessons from other states to address Georgia’s unique health care gaps.
Hemi’s insights were practical takeaways that Georgia’s leaders can implement to bring meaningful change to our communities.
The bipartisan legislative panel moderated by GHF’s Director of Health Policy, Whitney Griggs, dove into complex topics that impact local communities throughout the state. Sen. Kim Jackson, Rep. Darlene Taylor, and Rep. Lee Hawkins engaged in a candid discussion about the state’s health care priorities, including Medicaid reimbursement rates, mental health reforms, and rural health care quality.
Sen. Kim JacksonRep. Lee HawkinsRep. Darlene TaylorModerated by Whitney Griggs
The panel provided attendees with an opportunity to hear directly from decision-makers about the policies shaping the lives of everyday Georgians. One of the day’s most powerful moments came when the panelists discussed the ongoing debate around Medicaid expansion—an issue that could transform access to care for thousands of families across the state.
The day also included an exciting surprise: a GHF-produced podcast episode, “Health Care on My Mind.” Attendees watched the episode premiere during the event, which aimed to amplifies the voices of real Georgians. Included in the episode were the following Georgians:
Paul Mikell, an essential worker enrolled in Georgia’s Pathways Program.
Sherthea Jackson, a mother navigating Medicaid to meet her children’s needs.
Hospitalist Toby Terwilliger and medical student Hridaya Shah, who shared their firsthand perspectives on how gaps in health policies affect their patients and peers.
The podcast brought the statistics to life by sharing heartfelt, real-world stories, allowing attendees to connect emotionally with the people behind the numbers and reinforcing the urgency of advancing health equity in Georgia. Catch a preview of the podcast below and sign up for updates to be the first to know when the full episode is released!
Join Us in Building a Healthier Future
The event was more than just a gathering; it was a call to action. As GHF unveiled its 2025-2026 Policy Priorities, the message was clear: real change happens when we work together. These priorities include:
Reducing the number of uninsured Georgians.
Strengthening behavioral health systems.
Streamlining Medicaid to better serve individuals and families.
“We’re reprioritizing efforts to reach and connect personally with more Georgians across the state, and to help them feel empowered to humanize and simplify the systems and policies that we all struggle with,” said Laura Colbert, Executive Director of GHF. “The right type of change should be simple, people-centered, and focused on those who are under-resourced and unfairly treated by the system. And putting those people back at the center of the work.”
If you couldn’t join us in person, you can still be part of the conversation:
Georgia Pathways to Coverage Medicaid program too limited, too costly, analysis finds
Jess Mador
More than a year after the state launched the Pathways to Coverage program, offering Medicaid in exchange for work or other state-approved activities, advocates say the program is too difficult…
