What’s Inside This Month’s Peach Pulse?
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This month, we’re keeping you connected to the latest health care updates, opportunities to take action, and ways to engage with GHF. Here’s what you’ll find inside:
- A Message from Our Executive Director: Sharing accurate guidance and evidence-based resources that you can trust about issues like autism, Tylenol use during pregnancy, and other health topics that have been in the news recently.
- Read, Reflect, Act: GHF’s Latest Publications & Resources:
- Strengthening Mental Health Parity — The Kennedy Forum highlights Georgia’s landmark enforcement action with $20 million in insurer fines, featuring Laura Colbert’s perspective on accountability and bipartisan support.
- Upcoming Webinars
- Pulse Check: Pathways to Coverage and Georgia Access (October 9) — Learn what’s next for Georgia’s Pathways program and how changes to Georgia Access could affect coverage and costs.
- A Crucial Moment for Medicaid: How to Help (October 16) — Join a discussion on how new federal policies may jeopardize Medicaid coverage and how communities can respond.
- Thank you for celebrating with us at Celebration of Progress & Possibilities 2025! Relive an inspiring evening honoring Andy Miller and Wendy White Tiegreen, with gratitude to our sponsors, donors, and partners.
- Save the Date: Health Care Unscrambled 2026: RSVP now for our annual signature event at the Georgia Freight Depot.
- GHF in the News: Read the latest local and national coverage of Georgia health care issues.
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A Message from Our Executive Director
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You may have seen recent reports about the issues of vaccine safety and the causes of autism that were unfounded and not based on scientific evidence. These reports have caused understandable confusion among parents, families, and people with autism. In the face of so much misinformation, I wanted share a few facts, and highlight the trusted resources and experts that we turn to at GHF:
Autism facts, resources, and experts:
- Research shows that taking Tylenol (also known as acetaminophen) as directed during pregnancy does not cause or increase the risks of autism (JAMA Network). Major medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, continue to recommend acetaminophen as the safest option for pain and fever during pregnancy.
- Avoiding needed treatment can be risky—for example, an untreated high fever in pregnancy can harm both the pregnant person and the baby (CDC).
- To learn more about autism and hear from experts, including people with autism, refer to:
Vaccine safety and efficacy and recent changes to childhood vaccine schedules
- Vaccines are some of the most studied and successful medical interventions in the world. They go through extensive testing in clinical trials that test vaccine’s safety and effectiveness. (Let’s Get Real About Vaccines.Org)
- Discuss which vaccines are appropriate and recommended for you, your children, and other loved ones with your health care provider.
- Until recent changes to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), this panel carefully weighed the scientific evidence about what vaccines were needed and recommended at various stages of life or for specific groups of people. The recently-reformed ACIP made and considered changes to vaccine recommendations that are not based on scientific evidence. Learn more at PBS NewsHour and Your Local Epidemiologist
- Science-based vaccine information and resources can be found at:
As always, ask your health care provider for guidance about your health, medications, and other health care services. At Georgians for a Healthy Future, we remain committed to providing clear, evidence-based information to all Georgians.
In health,
Laura
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Laura Colbert
Executive Director
Georgians for a Healthy Future
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Read, Reflect, Act: Publications & Resources
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Georgia’s landmark enforcement action
Recently, Georgia’s Department of Insurance announced $20 million in fines across 22 insurance companies for violations of the state’s Mental Health Parity Act — an extraordinary enforcement action that set a new benchmark for oversight nationwide.
The Kennedy Forum reacted to this announcement in their blog, States Step Up: Holding Insurers Accountable for Mental Health Parity Violations, featuring perspectives from parity advocates, including GHF’s Executive Director, Laura Colbert.
“The fines issued to insurers by Georgia’s Department of Insurance are a powerful and important move toward making sure that insurers follow the rules so families can get the mental health and substance use care they need — and have a right to — with fewer delays or costly barriers.”
She also highlighted the bipartisan support behind Georgia’s parity law:
“In Georgia, parity is an irrefutably bipartisan issue … The bill received unanimous support in the state Senate and almost unanimous support in the House.”
The Kennedy Forum noted that this bipartisan appetite for accountability is growing across the country, fueling momentum for lasting, systemic change.
Read the full blog to reflect on what stronger enforcement could mean for Georgians seeking mental health care.
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Pulse Check: Pathways to Coverage and Georgia Access
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Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. ET
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Two years since its launch, Georgia’s Pathways program still falls short of meeting enrollment goals, while new federal changes could reshape costs and coverage.
Georgia now operates the nation’s second-largest state-based marketplace, but with the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, those coverage gains could be in jeopardy as many families brace for more expensive policies.
GHF is partnering with the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute for this event, where participants will also hear firsthand from a Georgian enrolled in the Pathways program.
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A Crucial Moment for Medicaid: How to Help
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Thursday, October 16, 2025 | 1:00–2:30 p.m. ET
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Millions of people are expected to lose coverage because of new federal Medicaid work requirements and changes to open enrollment. This conversation will explore how Medicaid protects health and strengthens communities, and how local leaders can help Georgians stay covered. GHF is partnering with national and community organizations for this event, where GHF’s Laura Colbert and Deanna Williams will join other experts to share strategies and solutions for keeping Medicaid strong in Georgia.
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Thank you for celebrating with us!
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On September 11th, GHF hosted our Celebration of Progress & Possibilities 2025 at Bona Fide Deluxe. It was an evening filled with gratitude, inspiration, and community. We were proud to honor two remarkable leaders: Andy Miller, recipient of the Linda Lowe Health Advocacy Award, and Wendy White Tiegreen, recipient of the Powerhouse Policymaker Award.
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We’re grateful to everyone who joined us, our generous sponsors and donors, and the wonderful team at Bona Fide Deluxe for making the night so special.
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Together, we’re building a healthier future for all Georgians. Keep reading to learn how you can RSVP for our upcoming Health Care Unscrambled event!
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Save the Date: Health Care Unscrambled 2026
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Join us for the 16th annual Health Care Unscrambled on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 12:30 to 4:00 PM at the Georgia Freight Depot. For the second year in a row, this brunch-style afternoon event will bring together health advocates, state leaders, and national experts for conversation, learning, and connection.
We’ll be announcing our keynote and other speakers in the coming months, but you can RSVP now to save your spot and be part of this engaging event.
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Support a healthier future for Georgians
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At GHF, we believe every Georgian deserves the chance to live their healthiest life. Your gifts make that possible. They help families enroll in and keep their health coverage, equip community leaders to advocate for better care, and ensure lawmakers hear directly from the people most affected by their decisions.
When you give, you are not just supporting GHF. You are supporting Georgians navigating complex systems, parents working to keep their children covered, and communities striving for health equity. Together, we can make sure health care policies reflect the needs and voices of all Georgians.
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Crossover Day is coming up on March 6. It is one of the most important deadlines of the legislative session. After this date, bills that haven’t passed at least one chamber (House or Senate) are unlikely to move forward this year. Expect a flurry of activity at the Capitol as lawmakers scramble to push their priority bills through.
