Mar 6, 2018 “We’re very concerned about them,” said Laura Colbert, the president of Georgians for a Healthy Future, which opposes all the bills. “If we’re really thinking about making a healthier population, a workforce that’s productive and has everything it needs to succeed, we should be restricting access to tobacco and other unhealthy products.”

Feb 27, 2018

One patient advocacy group, Georgians for a Healthy Future, has backed SB 359.

Feb 20, 2018

That’s a problem, said Laura Colbert, the director of the patient advocacy group Georgians for a Healthy Future.

“Middle-income consumers with pre-existing conditions who want to remain in the marketplace where they’re protected are going to see big increases in premiums if a lot of healthy people leave to buy short-term plans,” she said.

Jan 25, 2018

Editorial: Laura Colbert of Georgians for a Healthy Future cites Georgia’s high uninsured rate, the opioid epidemic, and the financial struggles of rural hospitals in calling for the state to expand coverage. But she is opposed to “tethering Medicaid eligibility to employment.”

Jan 8, 2018

“We are very concerned about how this may impact Georgia’s Medicaid program,” said Laura Colbert, the executive director of Georgians for a Healthy Future. “When we talk about cutting Medicaid at the state level, you are really talking about cutting health care to children, seniors and people with disabilities.”

Jan 3, 2018

Health care was a major topic in 2017 and will continue to be in 2018. We look at the final Obamacare enrollment numbers, the potential impact of the Republicans repealing the individual mandate, and get an outlook for 2018. A conversation with Laura Colbert, executive director of Georgians for A Healthy Future.

Jan 2, 2018

Laura Colbert, executive director of Georgians for a Healthy Future, an organization in Atlanta that advocates for public health insurance programs, said CHIP has traditionally had bipartisan support, which makes the lag in funding all the more concerning.

“It makes us nervous on a couple fronts,” she added.

First, it could be an indicator of Congress’ willingness to support other public health programs going forward, Colbert said.

Dec 28, 2017

“Given the confusion around the proposed repeal of the ACA, the shorter enrollment period and the drastic cuts to consumer outreach and assistance, I expected enrollments to be much lower,” said Laura Colbert, executive director of Georgians for a Healthy Future, an advocacy organization in Atlanta that encouraged ACA sign-ups. “This year’s enrollment numbers demonstrate that the ACA is fulfilling an important need for Georgia consumers who are looking for affordable, quality health coverage.”

Dec 22, 2017

For advocates who support the Affordable Care Act the extension to sign up for insurance coverage was a bit of a surprise, but it was also welcome news.

“It’s tough timing to get the word out, because of the holidays, but we are going to let our partners know, especially those who serve people who may qualify for marketplace coverage,” said Laura Colbert with Georgians for a Healthy Future.

Dec 21, 2017

“We were really hoping Congress would reauthorize the funding for the program before funding ran out at the end of September,” said Laura Colbert, Executive Director of Georgians for a Healthy Future.

Colbert says in several states, families are already receiving letters notifying them their children will lose coverage.

“When children lose coverage, we know they don’t get the preventative healthcare they need, we know it takes a while to get them re-enrolled, and children’s health really impacts them in the long term,” Colbert said.