Feb 22, 2019 “Consumers purchase health insurance as much to protect their finances as they do to protect their health, and when they receive surprise out-of-network medical bills, it feels like an unfair deal — and often it is,’’ says Laura Colbert of the advocacy group Georgians for a Healthy Future. “Commonly, consumers who receive surprise bills had no choice or control over their health provider and no way to find out ahead of time who would be treating them and if they were in network.‘’

Feb 20, 2019

Under the federal health law, every dollar Georgia spent on Medicaid coverage expansion would be matched by $9. But that’s only if the expansion includes individuals who fall under 138 percent of the poverty line, said Laura Colbert, executive directorof Georgians for a Healthy Future, a nonprofit consumer health advocacy group.

Colbert also said the measure grants broad authority to the governor and department of insurance.

“This lack of boundaries included in the bill allows for waiver proposals that could create seismic and detrimental change that harm consumers and destabilize the market,” Colbert said.

Feb 20, 2019

Under the federal health law, every dollar Georgia spent on Medicaid coverage expansion would be matched by $9. But that’s only if the expansion includes individuals who fall under 138 percent of the poverty line, said Laura Colbert, executive director of Georgians for a Healthy Future, a nonprofit consumer health advocacy group.

Colbert also said the measure grants broad authority to the governor and department of insurance.

“This lack of boundaries included in the bill allows for waiver proposals that could create seismic and detrimental change that harm consumers and destabilize the market,” Colbert said.

Feb 20, 2019

Reinsurance, as some states have sought, would provide stability for the exchange premiums, said Laura Colbert of the consumer group Georgians for a Healthy Future. But other 1332 waiver ideas, such as to promote ‘‘junk insurance’’ plans [those with very limited benefits], could create “seismic and detrimental changes,’’ Colbert said.

Feb 20, 2019

Under the federal health law, every dollar Georgia spent on Medicaid coverage expansion would be matched by $9. But that’s only if the expansion includes individuals who fall under 138 percent of the poverty line, said Laura Colbert, executive director of Georgians for a Healthy Future, a nonprofit consumer health advocacy group.

Colbert also said the measure grants broad authority to the governor and department of insurance.

“This lack of boundaries included in the bill allows for waiver proposals that could create seismic and detrimental change that harm consumers and destabilize the market,” Colbert said.

Feb 20, 2019

Reinsurance, as some states have sought, would provide stability for the exchange premiums, said Laura Colbert of the consumer group Georgians for a Healthy Future. But other 1332 waiver ideas, such as to promote ″junk insurance″ plans [those with very limited benefits], could create “seismic and detrimental changes,″ Colbert said.

Feb 20, 2019

Reinsurance, as some states have sought, would provide stability for the exchange premiums, said Laura Colbert of the consumer group Georgians for a Healthy Future. But other 1332 waiver ideas, such as to promote ‘‘junk insurance’’ plans [those with very limited benefits], could create “seismic and detrimental changes,’’ Colbert said.

Feb 20, 2019

Under the federal health law, every dollar Georgia spent on Medicaid coverage expansion would be matched by $9. But that’s only if the expansion includes individuals who fall under 138 percent of the poverty line, said Laura Colbert, executive director of Georgians for a Healthy Future, a nonprofit consumer health advocacy group.

Colbert also said the measure grants broad authority to the governor and department of insurance.

“This lack of boundaries included in the bill allows for waiver proposals that could create seismic and detrimental change that harm consumers and destabilize the market,” Colbert said.

Feb 20, 2019

Reinsurance, as some states have sought, would provide stability for the exchange premiums, said Laura Colbert of the consumer group Georgians for a Healthy Future. But other 1332 waiver ideas, such as to promote ‘‘junk insurance’’ plans [those with very limited benefits], could create “seismic and detrimental changes,’’ Colbert said.

Feb 15, 2019

Laura Colbert, with patient advocacy group Georgians for a Healthy Future, also worries that the Kemp administration’s waiver plan likely won’t go far enough.

“Many of the Georgians who are excluded in this proposal will likely remain uninsured and continue to struggle to get the health coverage and care they need,” she said in a statement.