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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.

2019

Kemp announces plan to trim private health insurance cost

  • by Jill Nolin
  • Georgia Recorder

But others were quick to caution that the proposal appeared to help insurers more than consumers.

“Under this plan, Georgia families and individuals who want comprehensive health coverage may end up paying more, Georgians will have a more difficult time shopping for insurance, and consumers will be at a disadvantage when selecting the plan that’s right for them,” Laura Colbert, executive director of Georgians for a Healthy Future, said in a statement.

“The administration’s plan tips the balance of power in health care toward insurers and away from consumers,” Colbert said. “Each part of this plan helps insurance companies, while consumers shoulder all the risks.”

See the article for the full details

Gov. Kemp Reveals Obamacare Waiver Plan

  • by Sam Whitehead
  • WABE

Abandoning the website worries consumer advocates, such as Laura Colbert with Georgians For a Healthy Future.

“Healthcare.gov is actually a really important platform. It provides an unbiased central location for people to compare plans across carriers, and there’s no bias or preference about one carrier or another,” she said.

Colbert worries third-party brokers will steer consumers into plans that might not be as comprehensive as what’s available on the exchange.

See the article for the full details

Kemp unveils proposals to overhaul Georgia individual health plans

  • by Ariel Hart and Greg Bluestein
  • Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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.”

See the article for the full details

Health costs rise for workers, firms

  • by Andy Miller
  • Statesboro Herald

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.”

See the article for the full details

Tough Choices: High uninsured rate takes toll on free clinics

  • by Riley Bunch
  • Valdosta Daily Times

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.”

See the article for the full details

Employer survey again shows higher costs for workers, firms

  • by Andy Miller Georgia Health News
  • Gwinnett Daily Post

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.”

See the article for the full details

High uninsured rate takes toll on free clinics

  • by RILEY BUNCH CNHI State Reporter
  • The Union Recorder

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.”

See the article for the full details

Anthem Faces Contract Standoff, Launches New Health Plan In Georgia

  • by Andy Miller, Georgia Health News
  • WABE

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.’’

See the article for the full details

Anthem is in yet another contract dispute with a Georgia health system

  • by Andy Miller, GHN
  • The Georgia Sun

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.’’

See the article for the full details

Kemp Backs New Insurance Option Aimed At Rural Georgia

  • by Sam Whitehead
  • WABE

“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.

See the article for the full details