Jan 19, 2020 Laura Colbert, executive director of Georgians for a Healthy Future, said people living in rural areas are more likely to have low levels of health literacy, compared to urban or suburban areas. “When people have low health literacy skills, they may have problems reading and understanding even basic health information, like a pamphlet about a health condition,” Colbert said in a statement. “The challenges of health literacy among rural Georgians may make it difficult for many to understand their doctor’s instructions, manage their own health conditions, or sign up for insurance coverage.

Jan 17, 2020

A federal-state negotiation period over the plan will follow the comment period, said Laura Colbert, executive director of Georgians for a Healthy Future, a consumer health advocacy nonprofit. Colbert said that as other states navigated the waiver process, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have asked for changes based on public comments.

“There is some chance that the waiver itself gets some changes included,” Colbert said. “And then if it were to get approval, that legal record is really important for any litigation.”

Jan 2, 2020

Laura Colbert, executive director of Georgians for a Healthy Future, said the limited changes made to the proposal is tantamount to the state dismissing the input from those who argued for full expansion and against rules limiting coverage.

“We encourage Georgians to participate in the federal comment period to come so that federal officials are able to take that feedback into account as they consider approval of this proposal,” Colbert said.

Dec 13, 2019

“The public comments are important because they become part of the legal record,” said Laura Colbert, who submitted a letter opposing the proposal on behalf of Georgians for a Healthy Future.

“And so, it is one of the most powerful ways that consumers can express their needs and concerns about what the state is doing related to health care,” she said.

Nov 10, 2019

Laura Colbert of Georgians for a Healthy Future said the Medicaid waiver plan “will not work for the large majority of low-income people in the state.” She described the waiver as “insufficient and punitive,” saying the work requirements would reduce enrollment.

Nov 6, 2019

Laura Colbert, director of Georgians for a Healthy Future, said, “If there are really 408,000 people who could qualify for coverage and in five years the majority of those people are not expected to be covered, then there’s something wrong with the plan”

Nov 5, 2019

“While every additional person who gains coverage is an important victory, this plan leaves too many Georgians uninsured. Georgia leaders should set aside partisan ideas that have failed in other states and instead pursue an evidence-based solution,” said Laura Colbert, Executive Director at Georgians for a Healthy Future. “Study after study demonstrates that Medicaid expansion results in improved health outcomes for adults who get covered, fewer financial struggles and more stable housing for low-income families, and stronger finances for community health centers and rural hospitals. Georgians deserve a healthier, financially vibrant future. Unfortunately, this plan does not move the state in that direction.”

Nov 4, 2019

The idea reminded Laura Colbert, the director of Georgians for a Healthy Future, of the same activity requirements that were stymied by federal judges in other states.

“Those plans don’t work for the people that need coverage,” Colbert said. “If there are really 408,000 people who could qualify for coverage and in five years the majority of those people are not expected to be covered, then there’s something wrong with the plan.”

Nov 4, 2019

Laura Colbert, executive director of Georgians for a Healthy Future, said imposing work requirements in exchange for Medicaid coverage in other states has resulted in fewer people enrolling in the program.

Nov 4, 2019

Opponents say the plan will only cover a sliver of Georgia’s uninsured and could water down insurance plan requirements.

“This plan still leaves thousands of Georgians uninsured,” said Laura Colbert, with Georgians for a Healthy Future. “Our concern is that every Georgian has a pathway to coverage, and this plan does not do that.”

Colbert says work requirements are only a barrier, and there is no date showing that they help get people employment or better-paying jobs.

“The only impact of a work requirement is to disenroll people or keep them from enrolling in the first place,” she said.