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Governor Deal signed HB 1166 (sponsored by Representative Atwood) into law on May 1^st. The legislation requires insurance companies who sell policies in the individual health insurance market to also sell child-only plans during an open enrollment period. These plans had previously been available in Georgia, but insurance companies stopped writing new policies in response to a change in federal law that prohibited discrimination against children due to pre-existing conditions. HB 1166 drew widespread support and Georgians for a Healthy Future was proud to be a part of the coalition effort that ensured its passage.

Two recent studies highlight the need for statewide strategies to improve access to care in Georgia. Last week, Kaiser Health News reported that Georgia was one of three states with the greatest increase in the number of people with unmet medical need over the past decade. Back in April, USA Today reported on a study of community health centers that found Georgia was the only state to rank at the bottom on 4 of 6 performance measures.

 

 

 

A provision of the Affordable Care Act requires health insurance companies in the individual market to spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars on medical care or quality improvement activities (it is 85 percent in the group market). Georgia insurance companies were permitted to phase this requirement in for the individual market over three years (requiring them to spend at least 70 cents on the premium dollar on actual health care in 2011, 75 cents on the dollar in 2012, and 80 cents on the dollar in 2013.) Designed to spur greater transparency, value, and accountability, the provision also requires insurance companies who do not meet this reasonable standard to issue rebates to consumers. As a direct result of this provision, Georgia consumers will receive an estimated $30 million in rebates this year. State-by-state information about anticipated rebates is available here, and a report from Georgia Health News is available here.

 

 

As of May 1, 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services, which administers high-risk insurance pools in twenty-four states including Georgia, reverted to its original requirements. In order to enroll in the program, applicants must submit one of the following pieces of documentation:

• A denial letter from an insurer
• An offer of coverage from an insurer that includes a pre-existing condition clause
• A letter from a broker or agent that states the individual would be denied coverage

Applicants must still be uninsured for six months before enrolling in the PCIP, a provision that has not changed since the program began. The Department will also end the $100 broker referral bonus, which began in spring of 2011, as an incentive to increase enrollment.

As of February 2012, 56,257 people were enrolled in the 24 states that participate in the federal PCIP. In Georgia, 1,707 people have been enrolled since August 2010.

 

 

National Women’s Health Week is a weeklong health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health. It brings together communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups in an effort to promote women’s health by eating healthy or providing legal steroids. The theme for 2012 is “It’s Your Time.” National Women’s Health Week empowers women to make their health a top priority. (more…)

The 2012 Legislative Session came to a close on March 29th with mixed results for health advocates.

The good news: (more…)

By Sarah Candler, MD/MPH Candidate 2013, Emory University and Rollins School of Public Health

 

 

 

JOIN US AT THE RALLY TO PROTECT THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

 

MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2PM

OUTSIDE THE GOLD DOME

 

FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS WE HAVE BEEN COLLECTING SIGNATURES OF DOCTORS, ADVOCATES, AND HEALTH CARE CONSUMERS WHO SUPPORT AND WANT TO PROTECT THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

ON MONDAY WE WILL BE RALLYING AT THE CAPITOL AND SPEAKING WITH SUPPORTERS AND THE MEDIA AND THEN DELIVERING OUR PETITION TO GOVERNOR NATHAN DEAL AND ATTORNEY GENERAL SAMUEL OLENS.   THE PETITION ILLUSTRATES THAT WE SUPPORT PROGRESS IN HEALTH CARE REFORM FOR THE THOUSANDS OF GEORGIANS WHO HAVE ALREADY BENEFITED FROM THE LAW AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE YET TO SEE THE BENEFITS OF FUTURE PROVISIONS.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE CAPITOL!

 

 

This is a coalition effort with Georgians for a Healthy Future, Doctors for America, HealthSTAT, Votehealthcare.org, and Know Your Care – Georgia

 

Sign the Petition in Support of the Affordable Care Act!

Now that Crossover Day (the 30th day of the 40 day Session and the day by which a bill must pass at least one chamber to remain viable for the Session) has passed, the 2012 Legislative Session enters its final stretch. The legislative calendar is now set through Day 37. Here is what health advocates are watching:

 

• HB 1166 would restore child-only health insurance policies to Georgia’s individual market. Georgians for a Healthy Future, along with a range of child health advocacy groups, is in strong support of this measure to provide this option for families who need coverage for their kids. The bill passed the House last week and passed through the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee this afternoon. It now heads to the Rules Committee.

 

• HB 879 would allow non-medical staff to be trained to assist students with diabetes in a school setting when a school nurse is not present. The legislation also allows children, who are able, to manage their own diabetes. This legislation passed the Georgia House of Representatives and will be before the Senate Health and Human Services committee tomorrow.

 

• SB 471 authorizes an alternative approval process for health insurance policies sold in Georgia and could place hard-fought consumer protections at risk. This bill passed the Senate last week and we will monitor it on the House side.

Several bills that consumer health advocates were supporting did not make the Crossover Day cut:

 

• HB 1159, sponsored by Representative Pruett, would have created a Joint Study Commission on Education for Parents with Newborn Children to determine how best to gather information, raise funds and create a comprehensive informational video.  The video would include but not be limited to information on the prevention of childhood obesity; how to prevent SIDS, shaken baby syndrome, and other forms of child abuse; how to prevent death and injury and additional information which would assist parents to raise safe and healthy children. HB 1159 passed through the House Health and Human Services Committee but did not make it out of the Rules Committee.

 

• SB 484 would help fight childhood obesity by encouraging – but not requiring – schools to open up and share their safe places for kids to play with responsible groups in their communities like churches, scouting troops, YMCAs and others. SB 484 passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee but did not make it out of the Rules Committee.

 

• HB 801 and SB 418 were introduced by Representative Gardner and Senator Orrock, respectively, as companion bills to establish a health insurance exchange in Georgia. Neither bill received a hearing.

 

To read Georgia Health News’ Health Care Scorecard on Crossover Day, click here.