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.’’

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.’’

Aug 1, 2019

“When there’s a deal on the table where you can pay just 10 percent as opposed to just over 30 percent of costs, it would be smart for Georgia to go back to the Legislature and ask permission to extend coverage to those just above the poverty line,” said Laura Colbert with Georgians for a Healthy Future.

Jul 19, 2019

“Are all admirable goals, and the federal government should be working toward that,” said Laura Colbert, the director of Georigans for a Healthy Future, which has advocated for coverage of poor Georgians through Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. “When you contrast those goals with the other actions the federal government is taking around health care they don’t necessarily line up,” she said, specifically citing the administration’s legal arguments that same week against the Affordable Care Act.

Jul 10, 2019

“Eliminating the ACA would ripple across Georgia’s healthcare system and across the nation’s healthcare system. It’s embedded in every aspect of health coverage and healthcare at this point,” said Laura Colbert with consumer advocacy group Georgians for a Healthy Future.

Jun 21, 2019

“Frankly, the documents themselves, just the way the work incentive is framed, and the direction that the federal government is pushing states, indicate that this work requirement will be mandatory, not a voluntary work support program,” Laura Colbert on Georgia’s health care waiver discussion and goals listed by Deloitte.

Jun 9, 2019

“Our job now is to figure out why kids are falling off coverage,” she said. “Certainly, a jump that much is concerning.” – Laura Colbert on data from a new report from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families that states PeachCare for Kids covered 20,000 fewer children at the end of 2018 than the year before.