Legislative update: Week 8

The GHF team prides itself on delivering timely and accurate updates to you on health care happenings at the Capitol. We hope that you enjoy reading our weekly legislative updates and that they help you stay informed and connected. If you enjoy them, please consider supporting our work with a donation today. Thank you for your continued support!

In this week’s update:

• Action alerts: Ask the House Rules Committee to prioritize mental health & substance use recovery today!
• Bills likely to receive a House or Senate vote today
• Approved last week: Emergency services, prior authorization, & the FY22 big budget
• Advocacy events this week: HIV decriminalization & Medicaid expansion advocacy day!
• U.S. Senate approves COVID-19 relief including extra Medicaid expansion funding for Georgia
• GHF’s got you covered this session!

Legislative Update: Week 7

The GHF team prides itself on being able deliver timely and accurate updates on health care happenings at the Capitol. We hope that you enjoy reading our weekly legislative updates and that they help you stay informed and connected. If you enjoy them, please consider supporting our work with a donation today. Thank you for your continued support!

In this week’s update:

• The General Assembly approves the calendar for the rest of session
• Action alerts: prior authorization, Medicaid expansion, & mental health & substance use updates!
• Legislation: telehealth, changes to nursing rules, & protecting the ACA 
• Advocacy events this week: transgender rights!
• Federal COVID-19 relief – including extra Medicaid expansion funding – passed by U.S. House
• GHF’s got you covered this session!

Legislative Update: Week 6

In this week’s update:

• Action alerts on childhood lead exposure and prior authorization bills
• Legislation on housing and Medicaid expansion!
• Advocacy events this week: housing & Asian Americans
• GHF’s got you covered this session!

Legislative Update: Week 5

The GHF team enjoys keeping you in the loop with these weekly updates and you enjoy reading them! It takes time and effort to deliver this service to you in a complete and accurate way every week of Georgia’s legislative session. If these updates help keep you connected to the health happenings under the Gold Dome, please consider supporting our work with a donation today. Thank you very much!

In this week’s update:

• Vote expected tomorrow on bill to reduce the number of uninsured children in Georgia
• Legislation on telehealth, prescription drug savings, tobacco and vaping education, and more!
• Governor’s partial Medicaid expansion plan hits roadblock
• Advocacy events for your calendar
• GHF’s got you covered this session!

Legislative Update: Week 4

Thank you for your readership and enthusiasm for GHF’s weekly legislative updates! The GHF team enjoys putting these updates together to keep you in the loop. We work hard to deliver this service to you in a complete and accurate way every week of Georgia’s legislative session. If you rely on these updates to keep you connected to the health happenings under the Gold Dome, please consider supporting our work with a donation today. Thank you very much!

In this week’s update:

• Take action to reduce the number of uninsured children in Georgia
• Legislation on vaccine administration, lead poisoning in children, prior authorization, and a Medicaid public option!
• Advocacy events for your calendar
• GHF’s got you covered this session!

Legislative update: Week 3

In this week’s update:

• Georgia House approves changes to the current state budget
• Take action to preserve coverage & access to care for Georgians with HIV/AIDS
• Legislation on kids’ and pregnancy Medicaid, mental health, Georgia’s all payer claims database, lead poisoning in children, and more!
• Advocacy events for your calendar
• GHF’s got you covered this session!

Legislative Update: Week 1

The 2021 legislative session has begun

Last week, the Georgia General Assembly convened for the first time in 2021. The first four days of the 2021 legislative session were held with additional COVID-19 safety protocols in place. The attentions of legislators were mostly taken up with committee appointments, (including a change in leadership for the Senate Insurance Committee from Sen. Burt Jones to Sen. Dean Burke), Governor Kemp’s third State of the State address, and other annual traditions, including GHF’s own Health Care Unscrambled. 

This week will be primarily dedicated to budget hearings for the current (FY 2021 Amended) and next year’s (FY 2022) state budgets. The General Assembly will reconvene on Tuesday, January 26th for the fifth day of legislative session.

During the run-off election period (Dec. 14, 2020 to Jan. 5, 2021) for Georgia’s two U.S. Senate seats, Georgians have the opportunity to learn more about these elected positions, their decision-making power, and how Georgia’s U.S. Senators impact our health and well-being . Voters’ decisions about our Senate candidates will have a tangible and long-running impact on our state’s recovery from COVID-19, health costs and insurance, and other important consumer health issues in Georgia.

Ramatu lives in Gwinnett County with her four children for whom Medicaid helps to meet their unique health needs. Medicaid provides a lifeline for Ramatu’s family and helps ensure that her children receive the health care they need. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 54% of Georgia children with special health care needs are covered by Medicaid. 

“Two of my kids are on straight Medicaid because of the severity of their disability. The other two, they are on what is called care services.”  –Ramatu

The ongoing COVID-19 crisis has damaged the mental health of many Georgians and exacerbated the use of alcohol and drugs. Financial stressors, the difficulties of parenting, and almost universal uncertainty brought about by COVID-19 have dramatically increased depression, anxiety, stress, and substance use among Georgians. Some will seek supports and services to manage their health, which may be provided in part by certified peer specialists.

Certified peer specialists (CPS) provide support and education to individuals and families while they navigate mental health and/or substance use recovery supports and services. CPS have played a vital role in Georgia’s mental health and substance use recovery systems for over 20 years.