ATLANTA, GA — Earlier this week, Georgians for a Healthy Future (GHF), Georgia’s leading nonpartisan health advocacy organization, hosted its 15th Annual Health Care Unscrambled at the Georgia Freight Depot, bringing together policymakers, advocates, and public health experts from across the state. This year’s event brought together more than 200 attendees for critical discussions on the future of health care in Georgia. The conversations amplified GHF’s commitment to advancing equity, access, and innovation in health policy.

“This year’s Health Care Unscrambled demonstrated the power of bringing together diverse voices to address Georgia’s critical health care issues,” said Laura Colbert, Executive Director of Georgians for a Healthy Future. “As advocates, it’s our responsibility to drive meaningful change. We are deeply grateful to our attendees, speakers, and sponsors for their contributions to this event. Together, we are building the foundation for greater health care access and equity for all Georgians.”

Event Highlights

The program featured a keynote address from Hemi Tewarson, JD, MPH, Executive Director of the National Academy for State Health Policy. Tewarson shared insights on the incoming administration’s health care agenda and highlighted strategies from other states to enhance access to care. She focused on the implications of these strategies for Georgia’s current health care landscape.

ATLANTA – Today, Georgians for a Healthy Future (GHF) is urging Georgia residents to act before the fast-approaching January 15th deadline, the last chance to secure health insurance through open enrollment for the year. Those who enroll by January 15th will have coverage starting February 1, 2025.

Missing this deadline will leave many without the financial protection and access to essential health services they may need throughout the year. Those who miss the deadline may still be eligible for coverage through a special enrollment period if they meet the qualifying criteria.

What Consumers Need to Know

• Critical Deadlines:
  • January 15, 2025: Final open enrollment deadline for coverage beginning February 1, 2025.
    • Those who miss the deadline may still qualify for coverage through a special enrollment period if they experience a qualifying life event, such as losing health coverage, getting married, or having a baby.
• Financial Assistance:
  • The plans are affordable. Most enrollees qualify for subsidies for their insurance premiums. In 2024, over 1.2 million Georgians received financial help, reducing average premiums from about $583 to just $75 per month.
• Customized Local Support
  • Georgia Access is designed specifically for Georgia residents. Organizations like GHF provide free, unbiased support through trained navigators to make enrollment stress-free.

In partnership with the state, GHF operates a navigator program to ensure Georgians have the support they need to enroll through Georgia Access. GHF’s navigators provide:

• Help finding a plan that fits your needs and budget
• Assistance understanding and applying for financial aid
• Guidance to avoid common enrollment pitfalls

Consumers can request assistance today by visiting GHF’s Get Help with Health Insurance page or directly contacting:

ATLANTA – Today, Georgians for a Healthy Future (GHF) is urging Georgians who purchase insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to take action before the fast-approaching December 15^th  deadline to enroll in health insurance through Georgia’s new health insurance marketplace, Georgia Access. It is estimated that more than 1.3 million Georgians are currently enrolled in coverage through healthcare.gov, but in 2025, Georgians will enroll and maintain their coverage through georgiaaccess.gov.

Those who enroll by December 15^th will have coverage beginning New Year’s Day. Those who miss the December deadline will face a delay, with coverage starting in February, instead of January 1^st.

“The clock is ticking for Georgians to secure their health coverage for the new year,” said Laura Colbert, Executive Director of Georgians for a Healthy Future. “The December 15^th deadline is more than just a date. It’s an opportunity to protect your health and financial security for the new year. Missing it means risking a month without coverage and leaving yourself unprotected against unexpected medical expenses. Take action today to ensure you start the year with peace of mind and the care you need.”

ATLANTA – Today, Georgians for a Healthy Future (GHF) shared a briefing memo that contextualizes statements made during this morning’s Patients First Round Table Discussion hosted by the Governor’s office. Governor Kemp described Georgia’s new health care programs, specifically the Georgia Access health insurance marketplace and the Pathways to Coverage program under Medicaid.

While more low-income adults have been able to enroll in health insurance over the last several years, the reasons are more nuanced than the current state administration has allowed, and the additional context has important implications for Georgians’ access to care.

Originally published in May, GHF’s briefing memo details each of the Kemp administration’s health care programs (some are called “waivers”), their respective effects on access to health coverage in Georgia, and how Georgians are impacted by each. This memo provides essential, accurate, and sourced background information to reporters covering health care issues in Georgia.

Reporters will find understandable information and helpful illustrations that respond to the following questions: 

• What is the Pathways to Coverage program? Who does it cover? Compared to Medicaid expansion (or closing Georgia’s coverage gap), how many Georgians are covered?
• What is reinsurance and how does that impact health insurance premiums in Georgia?
• What is the Georgia Access marketplace? Are uninsured and low-income Georgians able to enroll in marketplace coverage instead? What has driven recent enrollment increases?
• What is the context around the Governor’s remarks when referencing that 714,000 Georgians have become newly insured through his health insurance programs? How do federal policies impact this enrollment increase?
• Do these programs, when combined, replace the need to expand Medicaid in Georgia?

ATLANTA –The Cover Georgia coalition applauds the appointments made by Governor Kemp and legislative leaders to the Comprehensive Health Coverage Commission. Established by HB 1339, the Commission will spend the next 18 months advising state leaders and policy makers about issues related to access and quality of health care for low-income and uninsured Georgians.  The Cover Georgia coalition looks forward to the Commission’s work to study opportunities and find solutions that improve the health and well-being of all Georgians, particularly those with limited resources.

With such experienced and diverse members, the Cover Georgia coalition is confident that the Commission will carry out a community-driven process that engages the Georgians at the center of their charges.

“We stand ready to support the Commission in connecting with and hearing from low-income and uninsured individuals and families across the state through public-facing meetings and community input sessions,” said Georgians for a Healthy Future Executive Director Laura Colbert. “Hearing the voices of those directly impacted is an essential component of developing relevant findings and recommendations to share with state leaders.”

ATLANTA –July 1st marked the first anniversary of the Pathways to Coverage program. Advocates are urging state leaders to acknowledge that the current design has not met the critical needs of Georgia’s uninsured population.

Initially expected to enroll between 31,000 to 100,000 Georgians in its debut year, the program has 4,323 individuals actively enrolled as of mid-June 2024. This shortfall highlights the gap between the program’s objectives and its actual impact on the community’s health care access.

Data indicate that the complexities of the program’s administration, along with the backlog generated by the Medicaid unwinding, may have contributed to its underperformance–with about 38% of applicants still awaiting processing. The cumbersome enrollment and monthly reporting process and the substantial state and federal taxpayer funds directed towards managing the online enrollment and eligibility portal–almost $12 million from July 2023 to March 2024 alone–reflect a misalignment of priorities and resources.
Furthermore, Pathways to Coverage’s work and other qualifying activity requirements may have limited the program’s reach and effectiveness. Only 20% of the applications processed have resulted in coverage, and about 21% of denials are due to stringent qualifying hours and activity requirements.