Peach Pulse Archive 2024

GEORGIA’S LEGISLATIVE SESSION ENDS TOMORROW

Stay Informed with GHF Updates.

Tomorrow, March 28th, marks the end of the legislative session, known as Sine Die. This week will be busy at the Capitol with lawmakers working long hours to finish bills and budget changes before midnight on Thursday.

GHF is closely monitoring several pieces of legislation, including proposals that would make it easier for mental health and substance use providers to serve Georgians; damage access to evidence-based medical care for transgender youth; and slash Georgia’s Housing Tax Credit.

Stay updated by following GHF and #gapol on social media. Next week, we’ll share a legislative update summarizing what was achieved and what wasn’t during this year’s session.

AN UPDATE ON EFFORTS TO CLOSE GEORGIA’S COVERAGE GAP 

This year, Georgia had two realistic chances to provide health coverage for more people but unfortunately, our state leaders have not closed the coverage gap just yet. On March 21st, the Senate’s Regulated Industries Committee held a crucial hearing about House Bill 1077, which proposed a new program called PeachCare Plus to offer no-cost, private health insurance to the uninsured Georgians who are currently stuck in the coverage gap. It is the first time that a Georgia legislative committee has held a hearing for a bill that would fully close the coverage gap. After testimony from GHF’s Executive Director, the committee cast a tie vote of 7-7, meaning that HB 1077 didn’t pass. We’re grateful to the legislators who supported covering over 500,000 Georgians in need, and we hope they’ll keep pushing for it. Join us in saying “thank you” to those who voted in favor of closing the coverage gap.

Another opportunity to close the gap came through modifying House Bill 1339. This bill mainly deals with regulating hospitals but also includes a provision to explore closing Georgia’s coverage gap in 2025 or 2026 through a new Comprehensive Health Coverage Commission. HB 1339 received final approvals from both the House and Senate late last week. If the Governor signs it into law, the commission will likely start working on this issue this summer. We’ll keep you updated on the Commission’s progress and how you can get involved. Let’s keep advocating for a healthier future for all Georgians.

We’re thrilled to share a report released by the Georgia Health Initiative this week. This economic analysis estimates the gains that Georgia and Georgians would experience as a result of closing the coverage gap.Closing Georgia’s gap would generate more than 51,000 new jobs statewide each year in its first three years. Personal incomes would grow by $900 per household.

The report details its results by county and public health district for an even more localized look at the benefits of closing Georgia’s coverage gap.

The issue brief, available here, presents an overview of the results and the full analysis is available here.

OUR COMMUNITY. OUR VOICES

Partner with GHF to protect local decision-making

Local cities and counties are important testing grounds for policies that improve community well-being and health. Trying out innovative ideas like locally-managed internet access, paid family leave, or local tobacco taxes can help close health and economic gaps for certain communities, and they help demonstrate the impacts of policies and programs if they were expanded to the state or federal level.

Increasingly, corporate lobbyists are influencing state lawmakers to use a tool called “preemption” to limit Georgia communities from trying out these kinds of new ideas. GHF is building a coalition of dedicated advocates to stand against harmful preemption policies that silence local voices and prevent communities from adopting policies that promote well-being and fairness for all residents.

As a coalition member, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Collaborate with GHF team members to shape the conversation around preemption in Georgia and its impact across various issues like public health, elections, internet access, & more.
• Strategize about how to effectively defend against harmful preemption efforts that strip away local control.
• Elevate your voice and empower other Georgians to advocate for community liberties and policies that support the health and well-being of all Georgia residents.

We believe that understanding how harmful state overreach takes place is key to our advocacy efforts. Check out GHF’s video and blog to learn more.

Interested in joining? Click the sign-up button below! If you want to learn more about how preemption may impact your local community before you consider joining, please reach out to GHF’s Organizing Manager Knetta Adkins at kadkins@healthyfuturega.org.

Together, let’s ensure communities have the decision-making power they need to build a healthier, more equitable future for all Georgians.

JOIN GHF IN CELEBRATING NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK!  

Recognizing the power of public health all next week! 

Join GHF to celebrate National Public Health Week (NPHW), happening from April 1st through April 7th. NPHW highlights the crucial role that Georgia’s public health agencies, workers, and laws play in keeping our families and communities safe and healthy.

To help lift the voices and perspectives of Georgia’s public health workers, we’re spotlighting this recent blog. In it, our local and state public health professionals shed light on the value of public health services to community members, the ongoing challenges that public health agencies face with staffing, funding, and other resources, and what they want state leaders to know about public health.

You can show your appreciation for Georgia’s great public health workers by signing GHF’s ‘Say “Yes” for Public Health’ petition and sharing it with others in your community!

GHF IN THE NEWS

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | March 20, 2024: Georgia’s Medicaid work requirements cost millions, despite low enrollment

Capitol-Beat | March 21, 2024: State Senate panel narrowly rejects Medicaid expansion

WABE | March 21, 2024: Showdown on Medicaid expansion heats up as Georgia legislative session winds down