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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: WEEK 10

The 2025 legislative session is in its final stretch, with two weeks left until session ends on April 4th. With only a few legislative days left, lawmakers are working quickly to finalize key bills and the state budget. You can view the legislative schedule here. 

Ending the Practice of Subminimum Wage in Georgia

Last week, the House passed Senate Bill 55, the Dignity and Pay Act. The bill now heads to the Governor for final approval. SB 55 phases out the use of 14(c) certificates in Georgia to pay subminimum wages (below the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr) to workers with disabilities.

Initially intended to promote employment for disabled veterans, Section 14(c) of the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) permits paying people with disabilities wages below the statutory federal minimum wage. Section 14(c) can no longer apply to disabled veterans, yet it remains a legal way to pay people with disabilities – usually people with developmental disabilities (DD) – below minimum wage. (Employers using 14(c) waivers often pay disabled employees just pennies per hour.) More than 85 years after the law’s initial passage, the policy has frequently led to exploitation—leaving workers with developmental disabilities earning wages far below the poverty line in roles that offer little chance for growth or advancement.

Access to quality health care isn’t just a service—it’s a basic human right and a key part of a healthy society. This Women’s History Month, we recognize the critical role that health care plays in the lives of women, from preventive screenings and prenatal care to treatments for chronic illnesses and mental health support. Having the right coverage and knowing where to turn for services can make all the difference.

In Georgia, Medicaid is a key resource that helps many women access the care they need. But despite the important protections it offers, many women still fall outside of the eligibility guidelines and remain uninsured.

According to Georgetown’s Center for Children and Families, nearly one in five women between the ages of 18 and 44 in Georgia lacks health insurance—one of the highest rates in the country. The problem is even worse for Hispanic/Latina women, nearly half of whom are uninsured. Black women in Georgia are more than twice as likely as white women to suffer severe complications or die from pregnancy-related causes. Many of these deaths are preventable, yet barriers to care persist.

Georgia’s Medicaid programs offer critical support for eligible women, but they are limited in scope. This blog will help break down the available Medicaid options for women in Georgia, who qualifies, and where to turn for free help enrolling.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: WEEK 9

With Crossover Day behind us, the pace at the Capitol is picking up. Lawmakers are moving quickly to debate and vote on bills that survived the deadline, while the budget process moves full speed ahead.

Take Action: Advocate for More GHVP Funding!

The Georgia Housing Voucher Program (GHVP) was created to help Georgia meet its legal obligations under the Olmstead Agreement, which requires the state to provide community-based housing for people with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) instead of institutionalizing them. GHVP is a permanent supportive housing program that helps these individuals secure stable housing, avoid homelessness, and access essential services. The program directly pays rent to landlords and provides ongoing support to keep residents housed and connected to care.

Despite its success, GHVP has been underfunded for years. The House added $1.7 million for GHVP in the FY26 budget, but at least $20 million more is needed to expand housing support and fulfill Georgia’s legal and moral obligations. We need your help to urge the Senate Appropriations Health and Human Resources Subcommittee and Appropriations Chair Blake Tillery to increase GHVP funding by $20 million.

Contact the Senate Appropriations Committee today!

House Passes FY26 Budget – What’s Next?

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: WEEK 8

Crossover Day has come and gone, and the final stretch of the 2025 legislative session begins!

With just 12 legislative days left before Sine Die on April 4, lawmakers will move quickly to vote on the bills that made it through this key deadline. The legislature will pack the next three weeks with committee hearings, floor votes, and last-minute negotiations.

We’re thrilled to share that HB 291, the Community Health Worker certification bill, passed the House late Thursday night! The House passage of HB 291 is a big win for Georgia’s Community Health Workers and the communities they serve. Join us in sending a huge “Thank you!” to our partners at Georgia Watch and all the advocates who worked tirelessly to get this bill through the House—your efforts made this progress possible! Let’s keep up the good work to ensure this bill successfully passes through the Senate! 

Keep reading for a full breakdown of what survived Crossover Day and what comes next for health care at the Capitol.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: WEEK 7

New Bill to Protect Free Preventive Care (SB 262) Introduced

Last week, Senator Halpern introduced Senate Bill 262 with the support of six Republican co-sponsors! This bill is crucial to ensure that Georgians can continue accessing life-saving preventive health services without facing financial barriers.

Why This Matters

Since 2010, most health plans have been required to cover critical preventive services— such as cancer screenings, routine wellness visits, and mental health screenings—at no cost to patients. However, this vital benefit is under serious threat.

This summer, the U.S. Supreme Court will rule in Kennedy v. Braidwood, a lawsuit that seeks to overturn the free preventive services requirement. Nearly 5 million Georgians could lose guaranteed access to no-cost preventive care if the Court strikes down these protections.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: WEEK 6

Community Health Worker Certification Bill (HB 291) Updated with Key Revisions

The bill to establish a certification process for Community Health Workers (CHWs) has been amended with some key updates. HB 291 is now scheduled to be heard today at 1:00 pm in the House Public and Community Health Committee. If passed, the bill will create a standardized certification process to support and expand Georgia’s CHW workforce. These trusted public health professionals help people navigate the health care system and access essential services, particularly in underserved communities.

What’s New in the Amended Bill?