Blog

What Does Georgia’s Health Care Future Look Like?

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.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: WEEK 1

Georgia’s 2025 Legislative Session Has Officially Begun

On Monday, January 13th, the Georgia General Assembly convened to kick off the first year of the state’s two-year legislative cycle. During this period, lawmakers will introduce and consider bills that have two years (this session and next) to become law. The legislative session gives state lawmakers a chance to address key issues affecting Georgians, including health and health care.

The following day GHF hosted Health Care Unscrambled 2025 (our 15th annual HCU!), where we unveiled our 2025-2026 policy priorities. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended! If you missed the event or would like to revisit the discussions, you can find a full recap on our event page here, including a recording and presentation slides. 

On Thursday, Governor Kemp delivered his State of the State address and unveiled his budget proposals for the remainder of the current fiscal year and the next state fiscal year. Below, we’ve highlighted key health-related components of the Governor’s budget for your review.

This Week: Budget Week
House and Senate Appropriations Committee members are holding joint hearings to review state agency budget requests and spending this week. These hearings provide important insights into agency priorities and funding needs for the year ahead.

For more information, you can access the legislative session schedule here.

What This Election Means for Health Care in Georgia

The 2024 election is nearly here, and the results will have huge implications for health care in Georgia. Your vote will shape critical decisions that affect how affordable and accessible health care is for all of us. From the future of affordable coverage to filling gaps in care for communities across the state, there’s a lot on the line.

As you prepare to vote, it’s important to understand what’s at stake and how the results could change health care in Georgia—especially for those who need it most.

Every year on November 1st, healthcare.gov and state-specific health insurance marketplaces open so that Americans who don’t have job-based health insurance or other coverage can shop for and enroll in health insurance. In 2024, 1.3 million Georgians enrolled in coverage in this way, and this year their marketplace will look a little different. Here’s what Georgians need to know about the changes. 

Since 2013, Georgians have used healthcare.gov to view health insurance plans, qualify for financial help to lower their costs and enroll in the health plan of their choosing. In 2023, Georgia lawmakers moved to change that. The state legislature and Governor Kemp passed a new law that allows Georgia to create its state-based marketplace (SBM). Since then, the Georgia Department of Insurance has been working to create and launch Georgia Access (GeorgiaAccess.gov). Georgia Access launches November 1st. 

As Georgians prepare to cast their votes in this year’s elections, the importance of health care policy has never been clearer. From the future of affordable coverage to the persistent gaps in access for communities around our state, the stakes are high. Georgia’s on-going health challenges highlight the need for candidates who prioritize health and wellness. Georgians need elected leaders who will make decisions that ensure access to affordable, high-quality health care, especially for communities who have historically had more difficult barriers to accessing and affording care.

With this in mind, we’ve developed a set of questions for voters to ask state and local candidates on key health care issues affecting communities around our state. These questions can help guide your conversations with candidates at town halls, forums, or on social media.

Public Health: People, Power, & Possibility

Laura Colbert, Executive Director of GHF, was invited to deliver the commencement address to the graduating Class of 2024 at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Public Health. 

A recording of her remarks is available here and a transcript is provided below. 

Congratulations to the College of Public Health’s 2024 graduating class! 

2024 Session Sine Die

The 2024 Georgia legislative session is over, but GHF is not finished!

We’ve made it to the end of the legislative session and through Sine Die (the last day of legislative session).

In this week’s update we review which notable health bills passed and which bills didn’t quite make it across the finish line, as well as the major health changes and investments in the state budget. 

You can find a full list of this year’s health care-related legislation at GHF’s legislative tracker. In May, we’ll provide one final update about the Governor’s bill signings, vetoes, or budget changes.

Did you enjoy these weekly updates from the legislative session or find them useful to your work and advocacy? Great! We enjoy putting them together for you. We hope you will consider supporting this time-intensive, detailed, and expert-driven work with a donation to GHF! Please give here (and consider making it a monthly gift because advocacy is year-round!). Thank you for your generous support. 

Legislative Update: Week 11

In this week’s update:

• GHF testifies to close Georgia’s coverage gap
• Budget updates 
• Legislation on the move: housing, paid leave, Medicaid financing, & more!
• GHF’s got you covered this session!

Legislative Update: Week 10

In this week’s update:

• Action alert: Close Georgia’s Coverage Gap!
• Action alert: Send HB 404 to the floor for a vote! 
• Action alert: Urge your Senator to say NO to HB 1170 new substitute language!
• Legislation on the move: minimum wages for people with disabilities, naloxone, & more!
• Join GHF’s new coalition!
• GHF’s got you covered this session!

Make your voice heard! The Senate Rules committee needs to hear from you about 2 bills! 

How can you help? Both action alerts below are directed towards the Senate Rules Committee. Calls are more effective than emails. We suggest starting with two calls to Committee Chair Matt Brass (404-656-0057) and Vice Chair Frank Ginn (404-656-9222) about both bills. Calls to other committee members are also encouraged! Refer to the action alerts below for helpful talking points and please be respectful and courteous to whoever answers the phone.

Thank you for your advocacy!