Peach Pulse Archive 2019
Right around the corner
Changes in health care for Georgians coming soon
In March 2019, Georgia lawmakers approved SB 106, the Patients First Act. The law allows Georgia leaders to make potentially seismic changes to health coverage in the state. These changes could impact the way that you, your friends and family, and Georgians all across the state access and pay for health care. Georgia leaders are expected to announced their proposed changes in the next few weeks.
What to expect
Because Georgia leaders are using health care “waivers” to make their proposed changes, they must seek input from the public about their ideas. Here is what you need to know about the coming public comment periods:
- The public comment periods are your chance to weigh in about how the changes will impact you, your loved ones, and your community!
- There will be multiple public comment periods and they are all equally important! Make a plan to comment each time.
- GHF and our Cover Georgia partners will let you know when the public comment periods begin and end and will provide an easy way for you to have your say.
- In other states, public comments from people just like you have been the most powerful tool available to expand quality coverage to more people.
Make a plan to let state leaders know how their ideas will impact you and your family! Your comments can bring affordable, quality health coverage to all Georgians. Stay tuned!
Call for nominations
Less than 2 weeks left to nominate a health care hero
GHF will host its tenth annual Health Care Unscrambled legislative breakfast on January 14, 2020. This year’s event includes the presentation of the Linda S. Lowe Advocacy Award, which is given each year to an advocate whose work advances access to quality, affordable health care in Georgia.
We want you to tell us who should be recognized!
Nominees can be professional or volunteer advocates who work to achieve policy change for marginalized populations. This award is named in honor of Linda Smith Lowe. Linda dedicated her career to serving as an advocate on behalf of under-resourced Georgians who need a voice on health and human services issues.
Read about last year’s awardee and nominate your own health care hero!
Submit your award nominations by Monday, November 4, 2019.
Just in time for open enrollment
GHF releases annual Getting Georgia Covered report
Georgians for a Healthy Future is pleased to release its annual Getting Georgia Covered report. The annual publication tells the story of how Georgia individuals and families are faring in Georgia’s health insurance marketplace. It examines how last year’s open enrollment period differed from the previous five, presents enrollment and cost data and identifies policy opportunities to increase enrollment, ensure access to care, address affordability, and protect Georgia consumers.
Mark your calendars! Healthcare.gov opens for business on November 1st! Consumers can browse available plans now and enroll in coverage from November 1 to December 15, 2019. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and share messages about open enrollment to help raise awareness about the opportunity to gain health insurance, the availability of financial assistance, and how to find enrollment help.
Rural roofer is stuck in coverage gap
Rural Georgians continue to struggle without coverage
Philip is a part-time roofer living in Fort Gaines, Georgia, a rural community in the southwest region of the state. While repairing a roof at work, Philip suffered a knee injury and a herniated disc in his back. Because he is uninsured and can’t pay much, Philip has been repeatedly refused the medical care that he needs to recover and get back to work.
Like Philip, 360,000 low-income Georgians, many of whom are uninsured, live in small towns and rural areas across the state. They have the most at stake in the debate over whether or not to close Georgia’s health insurance coverage gap. For these rural Georgia residents, health coverage would open doors to physicians and health services that they need to stay employed or get back to work. Read more of Philip’s story and see how your story can make an impact!
GHF in the news
Health costs rise for workers, firms
Valdosta Daily Times | September 29, 2019
Tough Choices: High uninsured rate takes toll on free clinics
Statesboro Herald | October 02, 2019