Peach Pulse Archive 2020

Healthcare.gov is open for business until December 15, 2020. Georgians can shop now for comprehensive, affordable health plans and enroll in coverage. Nine out of 10 Georgians qualify for financial help to lower their premiums and other costs! Don’t miss your chance to get enrolled for 2021 today!

Already enrolled? Ask your friends and family if they have coverage and encourage them to get enrolled before the Dec. 15th deadline.

Have questions? Learn about how health insurance works, how to enroll in coverage, or what to do after you have signed up with these tools from GHF:

• Frequently Asked Questions about health insurance
• My Health Insurance User’s Manual
  Available in English and Spanish
• My Health Resource Guide
• Get Covered. Stay Covered. video series

GHF examined the data about Georgia’s 2020 marketplace for our annual Getting Georgia Covered report. We found rising enrollment, lower premiums, and increased choices for consumers. This annual release tells the story of how Georgia individuals and families are faring in the health insurance marketplace. Explore this year’s interactive, digital report for more about Georgia’s 2020 marketplace, how it differed from previous years, who enrolled, the costs of coverage, and policy opportunities to enhance the marketplace and better serve Georgia consumers.

GHF is excited to announce our first Health Care Unscrambled 2021 virtual session! Join us on January 7th at 8:30 am for th two-part Politics, Possibilities, & Policy session!

This session will begin with a discussion about the results of the 2020 elections and their impact on the national and Georgia health policy landscapes. A second panel, made up of two leading state legislators, will discuss the outlook for the state budget & health-related legislation during the 2021 Georgia legislative session. Join these great guests on January 7th:

• Citseko Staples, Director, State and Local Campaigns, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
• Emily Barson, Executive Director, United States of Care
• Moderated by Elise Blasingame, a Georgia Trend’s 2020 40 under 40 leader
• House Health & Human Services Chair Sharon Cooper, HD 43 (Marietta)
• Representative Jasmine Clark, HD 108 (Lilburn)
• Moderated by Laura Colbert, Executive Director, Georgians for a Healthy Future

RSVP today to attend Politics, Possibilities, & Policy on Thursday, January 7 at 8:30 am!

Sponsorship opportunities are available

Earlier this month Georgia and 17 other states asked the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down the Affordable Care Act. The Health Care Repeal Lawsuit (also known as California v. Texas) jeopardizes the health of millions of Americans, including hundreds of thousands of Georgians. The ACA remains in effect while this lawsuit is pending, and a decision from the Court is expected in the spring of 2021.

Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp and Attorney General Chris Carr have supported the case since its start in February 2018. They have the ability to withdraw their support at any time.

Stand with us and urge Georgia leaders to protect the health and well-being of individuals and families by withdrawing their support for this lawsuit. 

The ongoing COVID-19 crisis has had an impact on financial stressors, the difficulties of parenting, and almost universal uncertainty and 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. Our newest blog, Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies: Get to know Georgia’s Certified Peer Specialists describes the unique position and qualifications that certified peer specialists provide in Georgia.

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.

GHF is asking for your support on Giving Tuesday! Giving Tuesday will take place in one week, on Tuesday, December 1. If you can afford to donate, we hope that GHF is among the non-profits that you support!

Your support of GHF:

• Activates health advocates across the state in support of policies that promote Georgia’s health and wellness;
• Sends the stories of Georgia individuals and families, and the best available data, to Georgia leaders to inform their decision making; and
• Brings together partner groups to collectively advocate for strong consumer protections in public and private health insurance, Medicaid expansion, and the many other policies that are necessary to an strong, effective pandemic response

Donate now or on Giving Tuesday! To ensure that Georgians for a Healthy Future can remain a strong, responsive voice for all Georgians now and in the future, consider becoming a monthly donor. Thank you!

This holiday season you can support GHF while you shop online. Amazon Smile will donate a small percent of your eligible purchases to Georgians for a Healthy Future. All you have to do is sign up and shop at smile.amazon.com. It’s an easy way to support GHF through the holidays and all year! To learn more and sign up, click here.