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In The News
Georgians for a Healthy Future is frequently cited in news articles about health care issues, ensuring the consumer perspective is heard. Read news stories featuring Georgians for a Healthy Future’s perspective below.
2020
“I would dispute the characterization that this is a step forward,” said Laura Colbert, executive director at Georgians for a Healthy Future, a lobbying group that seeks better health care access. “I think that Georgia can do much better, and can do it more cost effectively.”
“These annual rebates were built into the Affordable Care Act as one way to hold health insurers accountable to a minimum standard for covering the health needs of consumers and their families,’’ Laura Colbert of the consumer group Georgians for a Healthy Future said Thursday.
“For Georgians who regularly feel like they are at the mercy of their insurer, a rebate is a modest but welcome reminder that their health is supposed to be their insurer’s top priority.’’
The transition from one system to another is going to be difficult, even for consumers who know it’s happening. We know that not all consumers will know that this change is taking place. So some of those consumers are going to need to catch up. Some of them may not get through the process at all. It’s much more likely that consumers are going to become uninsured in this process rather than having more consumers brought into the private insurance system.
The advocacy group Georgians for a Healthy Future, which supports the exchange, said the plan leaves those with mental or behavioral health issues “exposed and in danger” at a time when the pandemic and opioid abuse are increasing the need for coverage.
“Insurers and web-brokers, who would be in charge of helping Georgians find health insurance, have developed a track record of steering consumers toward substandard plans that expose them to catastrophic costs if they get sick…most substandard plans do not cover mental health services, and many do not offer substance use or prescription drug benefits,” the group said.
Laura Colbert of consumer advocacy group Georgians for a Healthy Future said Monday that even a 6.5 percent increase could prove difficult to afford for families who don’t qualify for subsidies in the exchange.
“It’s especially unfortunate that Georgia’s proposed reinsurance program won’t be in place for 2021 because that would have lowered premiums for many if not all marketplace plans,” Colbert said. “Not only would that have protected insured Georgians from higher premiums during a difficult health and economic crisis., but it also may have attracted new consumers to the marketplace.”
Laura Colbert of consumer advocacy group Georgians for a Healthy Future said Monday that even a 6.5 percent increase could prove difficult to afford for families who don’t qualify for subsidies in the exchange.
“It’s especially unfortunate that Georgia’s proposed reinsurance program won’t be in place for 2021 because that would have lowered premiums for many if not all marketplace plans,” Colbert said. “Not only would that have protected insured Georgians from higher premiums during a difficult health and economic crisis., but it also may have attracted new consumers to the marketplace.”
“In total, the bill will cover about 2.5 million Georgians, we estimate,” said Laura Colbert, executive director of Georgians for a Healthy Future, who lobbied to get the bill through for years. “Those are really the folks who have individual health plans on the ACA, small group plans through their jobs, that kind of health insurance.” She credited Kemp and Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan’s support in helping get it “across the finish line.”
“This will be a huge financial gain for many Georgia families,” she said, but pointed out federal reform is needed to cover large group health insurance plans.
“The delay of Georgia’s proposed reinsurance program is a disappointment for Georgia consumers who are looking forward to premium relief,’’ said Laura Colbert of the consumer advocacy group Georgians for a Healthy Future. “However, the other changes made to the governor’s plan will reduce the harmful impacts that consumers would have felt under the original proposal.
“While we still have concerns about the transition from an unbiased, neutral enrollment platform like healthcare.gov to for-profit, decentralized insurers and web brokers, we are encouraged by the move to preserve the financial help and comprehensive health coverage provided to consumers by the Affordable Care Act.”
“The delay of Georgia’s proposed reinsurance program is a disappointment for Georgia consumers who are looking forward to premium relief,’’ said Laura Colbert of the consumer advocacy group Georgians for a Healthy Future.
“However, the other changes made to the governor’s plan will reduce the harmful impacts that consumers would have felt under the original proposal,” she said. “While we still have concerns about the transition from an unbiased, neutral enrollment platform like healthcare.gov to for-profit, decentralized insurers and web brokers, we are encouraged by the move to preserve the financial help and comprehensive health coverage provided to consumers by the Affordable Care Act.”