Oct 31, 2019 Some advocates worry that customers might assume they’re purchasing plans that cover a broad array of health benefits when they’re not. “Some of these plans that don’t offer full essential health benefits, their marketing is very confusing,” said Laura Colbert, the director of Georgians for a Healthy Future. “I would worry a lot that consumers would buy a plan that doesn’t actually work for them.”

Oct 2, 2019

Laura Colbert of the consumer advocacy group Georgians for a Healthy Future, asked to comment on the survey results, said Wednesday that the combination of rising premiums and growing deductibles “is really troubling for Georgia workers.”

“They are unfairly bearing the brunt of an ever-more-expensive health care system,” Colbert said. “This is especially problematic for lower wage workers and likely to exacerbate health disparities between low- and high- income Georgians.  If Georgia workers are going to find any relief, it is imperative that costs across the health care system are meaningfully addressed by health care providers, insurers and policymakers, with direct input from consumers.”

Sep 29, 2019

Laura Colbert, executive director for advocacy group Georgians for a Healthy Future, said she is not surprised by the numbers.

“We have seen some indications that people have been losing or dropping their coverage over the last year or so,” Colbert told CNHI, “so the number confirmed what we thought had been happening.”

Sep 27, 2019

Laura Colbert of the consumer advocacy group Georgians for a Healthy Future, asked to comment on the survey results, said Wednesday that the combination of rising premiums and growing deductibles “is really troubling for Georgia workers.”

“They are unfairly bearing the brunt of an ever-more-expensive health care system,” Colbert said. “This is especially problematic for lower wage workers and likely to exacerbate health disparities between low- and high- income Georgians. If Georgia workers are going to find any relief, it is imperative that costs across the health care system are meaningfully addressed by health care providers, insurers and policymakers, with direct input from consumers.”

Sep 27, 2019

Laura Colbert, executive director for advocacy group Georgians for a Healthy Future, said she is not surprised by the numbers.

“We have seen some indications that people have been losing or dropping their coverage over the last year or so,” Colbert told CNHI, “so the number confirmed what we thought had been happening.”

Sep 4, 2019

Laura Colbert of the consumer group Georgians for a Healthy Future said that with medical underwriting, “Georgians who apply for coverage through this plan or others like it may be charged higher premiums based on their health status or gender. Georgia families may also find that plans like this do not cover some hospital services, prescription medicines, mental health care, or maternity care.’’

Sep 3, 2019

Laura Colbert of the consumer group Georgians for a Healthy Future said that with medical underwriting, “Georgians who apply for coverage through this plan or others like it may be charged higher premiums based on their health status or gender. Georgia families may also find that plans like this do not cover some hospital services, prescription medicines, mental health care, or maternity care.’’

Sep 3, 2019

“When you have individuals and small businesses providing their own coverage under these types of mechanisms, you’re pulling those folks out of the individual marketplace,” said Laura Colbert of Georgians for a Healthy Future.

Sep 3, 2019

Laura Colbert is the director of the group Georgians for a Healthy Future and has advocated for shoring up the Affordable Care Act. She voiced mixed feelings about Thursday’s announcement. Such plans “can be a good way to provide coverage for employees of small businesses,” she said.

“However, given that Governor Kemp and other state leaders have … expressed interest in wanting to reduce premiums for Georgians, this announcement could run counter to those efforts. Essentially, the proposal has the potential to pull enrollees out of the market. And one of the important things for an affordable market is, you have as many people in the risk pool as possible.”

Aug 8, 2019

Laura Colbert, executive director of the consumer advocacy group Georgians for a Healthy Future, said Monday that health care spending growth has been squeezing patients.

“We hear from consumers that they feel like premiums are uncontrollable,’’ she said. “People are feeling this in their pocketbooks.’’