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

This year’s session ended abruptly with state senators adjourning before House members wrapped up. The Senate’s unexpectedly early departure left many bills in limbo. When Senators left early, they also left behind a number of Senate-passed measures that the House never had the chance to consider. With their sponsors already headed home, these bills were left without final votes and will have to wait until next year for another chance.

In this update, we review which notable health bills passed, which ones didn’t make it across the finish line, and highlight the major health-related investments included in the state budget.

You can view a full list of the legislation GHF tracked this year in our bill tracker. In May, we’ll share one final update with the Governor’s bill signings, vetoes, and any last budget changes.

Did these weekly legislative updates help you stay informed and take action this session? We hope so! We love creating them for advocates like you across the state. If you’d like to support this time-intensive, expert-driven work, please consider making a donation to GHF. (Maybe even set up a monthly gift, because advocacy is year-round!) Thank you!

National Public Health Week is an opportunity to focus on building healthier communities and ensuring that every Georgian has access to essential care, especially in a state where too many still face barriers to basic health services. One of the most powerful ways to improve health, lower costs, and strengthen economic stability is through preventive health services.

Preventive care like cancer screenings, well-woman visits, and mental health evaluations helps keep individuals healthy and reduce long-term health care expenses. Safeguarding preventive care is not only smart, but also one of the most compassionate and proactive investments we can make as a state.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: WEEK 11

The 2025 legislative session is in its final stretch, with just a few days left until Sine Die (the last day of the session) on Friday, April 4th. Lawmakers are racing to finalize key bills and the state budget—and there’s still time for you to speak up.

Things can move quickly in these final days, and last-minute advocacy opportunities may arise. Stay connected with us on social media throughout the week so you don’t miss a chance to take action when it matters most.

After the session ends, we’ll share a full recap, including updates on health care bills that passed (or didn’t), what it all means for Georgians, and any health-related study committees that will convene before next year’s session. In the meantime, you can check out our bill tracker to follow the legislation we’re monitoring as we get closer to Sine Die.

Life is full of changes—some planned, some unexpected. Maybe you just got married, moved to a new city, or lost your job. These big life moments can be overwhelming, and worrying about health insurance shouldn’t add to the stress. 

Each year, Open Enrollment is the time when most Georgians can sign up for health insurance through Georgia Access, the state’s health insurance marketplace. The last Open Enrollment window ran from November 1, 2024, to January 15 of this year. 

If you missed Open Enrollment, don’t worry. You may still be able to sign up for affordable health coverage on Georgia Access, Georgia’s state-based marketplace, through a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

What is a Special Enrollment Period (SEP)?

A Special Enrollment Period is a window of time outside of Open Enrollment when you can sign up for health insurance due to major life events. 

You may still be able to get covered through a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if you’ve recently:

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.