Peach Pulse Archive 2026
What’s Inside This Month’s Peach Pulse?
The legislative session is moving fast, federal policy changes have put coverage at risk for hundreds of thousands of Georgians, and our team has been busy producing new tools and resources to keep you informed and ready to act. Here is what we have for you this month:
- Legislative Updates: Budget negotiations are in the final stretch, and Crossover Day is just around the corner. We are tracking committee activity, bill movement, and what it all means for health care access in Georgia. Read the latest legislative updates on our blog.
- Read, Reflect, Act: GHF’s Latest Publications and Resources: This month, we’re sharing:
- Our new policy brief on what rising costs and federal policy changes mean for Georgia Access enrollees
- What to do if you missed Open Enrollment, and how a Special Enrollment Period might help
- GHF Leadership Recognized for Health Equity Work: GHF’s Executive Director, Laura Colbert, is a finalist for a major health equity award.
- How to stay connected with Cover Georgia and join the push to close Georgia’s coverage gap
- Power our work this session: Your support helps us track legislation, share timely updates, and advocate for policies that expand access to care across Georgia. Every gift makes a difference during this critical time.
- GHF in the News: Recent coverage from GPB, WABE, and more!
What’s Happening at the Capitol
Budget negotiations move forward
Georgia lawmakers are in the final stages of negotiating the Amended Fiscal Year 2026 budget. This amended budget adjusts spending for the current fiscal year, which runs from July 2025 through June 2026.
The House passed its version earlier this month. The Senate has now advanced its own proposal, which means the two chambers must resolve differences before sending a final plan to the Governor. While both chambers agree on required updates to Medicaid and PeachCare based on enrollment and utilization trends, there are differences in how surplus dollars are invested across health care, human services, and other priorities.
The next step is a conference committee, where House and Senate leaders negotiate a final compromise. Once both chambers approve that agreement, the budget will head to the Governor for signature.
Understanding Georgia’s Budget Timeline
Georgia’s budget process can be confusing. Here’s what you need to know:
Two Budgets, Two Years:
- Amended FY 2026 = Updates to the current year’s budget (July 2025 – June 2026)
- FY 2027 = Brand new budget for next year (July 2026 – June 2027)
The Process:
| Amended FY 2026 | FY 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| January | Governor proposes a plan → Agencies present their needs | Governor proposes a plan → Agencies present their needs |
| February–March | Lawmakers debate → House passes its version → Senate passes its version (we are here) → Joint negotiations → Final vote | Lawmakers debate → House passes → Senate passes → Joint negotiations |
| Late February / Early March | Can be signed into law once sent to the Governor | Usually still in debate at this point in the session |
| Late March (Sine Die) | Usually already signed at this point in the session | Usually passes on last day of session |
| April–May | Usually already in effect at this point in the session | Governor signs into law |
Why This Matters: The amended budget (AY 2026) shows how Georgia is spending state resources right now. The FY 2027 budget shows whether the state is preparing for emerging or new challenges, or just short-term needs.
Our team is still tracking committee activity, monitoring new legislation, and breaking down what it all means for Georgians. These weekly updates are your go-to resource for understanding what’s happening under the Gold Dome and how it connects to health care in your community.
Next Friday, March 6, is Crossover Day, the deadline for bills to pass out of their chamber of origin to remain eligible for consideration this session. We will be watching closely and will have a full update for you next week.
Read, Reflect, Act: GHF’s Latest Publications & Resources
Policy Brief: What Comes Next for Georgia Access?
Georgia’s health insurance marketplace grew from 462,000 enrollees in 2020 to more than 1.5 million in 2025, making it one of the largest in the country. But the federal subsidies that made coverage affordable for hundreds of thousands of Georgians expired at the end of 2025, and new federal policy changes are projected to result in significant coverage losses in the years ahead.
GHF’s new policy brief, The Road Ahead for Georgia Access, breaks down what happened, what it means for Georgians, and what state leaders can do about it. From premium increases already hitting consumers this year to state policy options that could help preserve coverage gains, this is your guide to understanding the road ahead for Georgia Access.
Read the full policy brief to learn more
Missed Open Enrollment? You May Still Qualify for Coverage
If you or someone you know missed the January 15 deadline to sign up for health insurance through Georgia Access, it might not be too late. A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) may allow you to enroll in coverage outside of Open Enrollment if you have experienced a qualifying life event — such as getting married, having a baby, moving, or losing coverage through a job or Medicaid.
One important update for 2026: income alone no longer qualifies you for an SEP. You must have a qualifying life event to enroll outside of Open Enrollment.
Not sure if you qualify? GHF offers free, one-on-one enrollment assistance through our Certified Application Counselor program. Read our latest blog post to learn more about SEPs and how to get help getting covered.
GHF Leadership Recognized for Health Equity Work
We are proud to share that GHF Executive Director Laura Colbert has been named a 2026 Health Care Champion by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. She is being recognized as a Health Equity Leader of the Year. The award honors her contributions to Georgia’s health care community through an independent editorial review.
If you want to celebrate this recognition in a way that keeps the work going, consider making a gift to GHF. Every dollar supports our mission to build a healthy, equitable Georgia for all of us.
Close the Coverage Gap: Stay Connected with Cover Georgia
Cover Georgia is the statewide coalition working to make it happen. You can stay connected by signing up for updates, learning more about the issue, and joining advocacy efforts as opportunities arise throughout the legislative session.
This February, as we celebrate Black History Month, we are reminded that the fight for health care access has deep roots. From the abolition movement to the Civil Rights Movement to the creation of Medicaid itself, Black-led advocacy has always pushed this country toward fairness and justice for all. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said it plainly: “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.” That fight continues here in Georgia today.
For people who can get to a doctor, so many conditions are treatable and manageable. But when hundreds of thousands of Georgians can’t afford care, manageable conditions can become life-threatening ones. The coverage gap doesn’t just leave people uninsured: It stands between Georgians and the care that could save their lives.
Medicaid expansion would change that. History has shown us that when communities organize and demand better, change is possible. Read Cover Georgia’s blog on how Black-led movements of the past guide the fight to close Georgia’s coverage gap today.
Power GHF’s Advocacy This Session
The legislative session is when health policy decisions get made. Bills move quickly, committee hearings pile up, and staying on top of it all takes time, attention, and resources.
Your support helps GHF track legislation, provide timely updates, educate the public, and advocate for policies that expand health care access across Georgia. It helps us show up at the Capitol, amplify community voices, and push for solutions that work for all Georgians.
If you’re able to give this month, your donation directly supports our work during this critical time.
GHF in the News!
Catch up on recent media coverage featuring GHF’s work, team, and storytellers:
- Atlanta Business Chronicle | January 14, 2026: Emory neurosurgeon Dr. Daniel Barrow wins lifetime achievement award for 2026 Health Care Champions
- WABE | February 5, 2026: New Georgia dashboard to track Mental Health Parity Act insurance violations
- Georgia Public Broadcasting | February 5, 2026: Advocates and enforcers agree abiding by parity laws saves taxpayer money, but who uses those funds?
Your gift helps Georgians for a Healthy Future continue advocating for policies that expand access to care and build a healthier, more equitable Georgia for everyone.