Peach Pulse Archive 2018

Strengthening Medicaid for all Georgians

Georgians can’t afford to wait

Teresa is one of the 240,000 Georgians who fall in the coverage gap. Because she has been uninsured since 2009, Teresa has to find alternative treatments for a serious dental condition that she developed five years ago. Earlier this month, Virginia voted to extend health insurance coverage to people like Teresa. Georgia’s Governor and state legislature can follow suit and close our state’s coverage gap at any time. Read more about Teresa’s story and five other great reasons that Georgia should follow Virginia’s example on our blog.

Become a voice for Medicaid in Georgia

Georgians for a Healthy Future is partnering with community groups across the state to host a series of Georgia Voices for Medicaid trainings. You can attend if you are interested in learning more about Georgia’s Medicaid program, who it covers, how it benefits the state, and how you can be a strong health care advocate. Join us for one of these upcoming trainings:

• Thursday, July 19th, 2:00 – 3:30 pm in downtown Atlanta
• Friday, August 10, 9:30 am – 11:00 am at the Athens Clarke County Library in Athens, GA

Don’t see a training near you? Email Alyssa Green at agreen@healthyfuturega.org to schedule a training in your community.

Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies

Get to know the Georgia Apex Program

Some of the state’s recent $21.9 million investment in children’s mental health will fund an expansion of the Georgia Apex Program, a school-based mental health program that aims to improve early identification of, access to and coordination of behavioral health services for students who need them. The Apex Program has demonstrated strong, positive results in its initial two years. Get to know the Georgia Apex Program in GHF’s newest post from our Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies blog series.

#Protectourcare

Federal government continues to attack consumer health care and coverage

Threats to health coverage and consumer protections continue to emerge from the federal government. The Department of Health and Human Services has released a new rule to increase access to association health plans and is expected to release another shortly that expands short-term limited duration plans. Both rules put consumers at risk by increasing access to skimpy insurance plans without robust protections and pushing up premiums for those with pre-existing conditions who need more comprehensive coverage. The federal government’s actions in two court cases also threaten coverage for people with pre-existing conditions and for adults covered by Medicaid. GHF will continue to monitor these developments and will communicate how they may impact you and your family.

Powerhouse Policymaker Awardees Announced!

Help us celebrate these deserving policymakers!

The Powerhouse Policymaker Awards are given each year to local or state policymakers in Georgia who have exhibited excellence and courage in championing health issues in public policy. This year’s awardees are state Representative Bob Trammell and Georgia Department of Community Health Commissioner Frank Berry!  Read more about our award recipients here and stay tuned for more awardee announcements soon.

We hope you will join us on September 6th to celebrate these champions for health! Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available.

GHF in the news

Trump administration rule allows cheaper, skimpier health plans 

Atlanta Journal Constitution  |  June 19, 2018