Peach Pulse Archives
What’s New in Georgia
Governor Deal Signs Legislation Restoring Child-Only Health Plans
Governor Deal signed HB 1166 (sponsored by Representative Atwood) into law on May 1st. The legislation requires insurance companies who sell policies in the individual health insurance market to also sell child-only plans during an open enrollment period. These plans had previously been available in Georgia, but insurance companies stopped writing new policies in response to a change in federal law that prohibited discrimination against children due to pre-existing conditions. HB 1166 drew widespread support and Georgians for a Healthy Future was proud to be a part of the coalition effort that ensured its passage.Access to Care a Concern for Georgians
Two recent studies highlight the need for statewide strategies to improve access to care in Georgia. Last week, Kaiser Health News reported that Georgia was one of three states with the greatest increase in the number of people with unmet medical need over the past decade. Back in April, USA Today reported on a study of community health centers that found Georgia was the only state to rank at the bottom on 4 of 6 performance measures.Insurance Rebates on the Way for Some Georgia Health Care Consumers
A provision of the Affordable Care Act requires health insurance companies in the individual market to spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars on medical care or quality improvement activities (it is 85 percent in the group market). Georgia insurance companies were permitted to phase this requirement in for the individual market over three years (requiring them to spend at least 70 cents on the premium dollar on actual health care in 2011, 75 cents on the dollar in 2012, and 80 cents on the dollar in 2013.) Designed to spur greater transparency, value, and accountability, the provision also requires insurance companies who do not meet this reasonable standard to issue rebates to consumers. As a direct result of this provision, Georgia consumers will receive an estimated $30 million in rebates this year. State-by-state information about anticipated rebates is available here, and a report from Georgia Health News is available here.Medicaid and PeachCare Redesign Continues
The Department of Community Health (DCH) is continuing its work in redesigning Georgia’s Medicaid and PeachCare programs. Various taskforces and workgroups have been convening to provide input into the process to ensure that the resulting redesign ensures coverage, access, and quality care to those eligible or enrolled in the programs. There is still an opportunity to reach out to DCH to share your opinion on the process. Send an email to MyOpinion@dch.ga.gov and let DCH what you care about when it comes to covering our most vulnerable populations. Georgians for a Healthy Future is proud to be a part of CARE-M: the Coalition to Assure Redesign Effectiveness for Medicaid. CARE-M is comprised of several advocate groups across the state that have a vested interest in the ultimate redesign of Georgia’s Medicaid and PeachCare systems. Many of these groups have been following DCH and Navigant’s progress and have drafted recommendations and policy papers on the topic. To access these documents, click here. To learn more about our collective efforts, click here. If you or your organization would like to learn more about the redesign process and would like to request a presentation, email Amanda Ptashkin.New Changes in Effect for Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP)
As of May 1, 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services, which administers high-risk insurance pools in twenty-four states including Georgia, reverted to its original requirements. In order to enroll in the program, applicants must submit one of the following pieces of documentation:- A denial letter from an insurer
- An offer of coverage from an insurer that includes a pre-existing condition clause
- A letter from a broker or agent that states the individual would be denied coverage
- Visit a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventive screenings.
- Get active.
- Eat healthy.
- Pay attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress.
- Avoid unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and not wearing a seat belt or bicycle helmet.
What’s New in Georgia
Legislative Wrap-Up
The 2012 Legislative Session came to a close on March 29th with mixed results for health advocates.
The good news: Our top legislative priority, restoring child-only plans to the individual health insurance market (HB 1166 sponsored by Representative Atwood), was successfully passed by both the House (by a vote of 161-1) and Senate (by a vote of 42-2). This legislation requires insurance companies who sell policies in the individual health insurance market to also sell child-only plans during an open enrollment period. These plans had previously been available in Georgia, but insurance companies stopped writing new policies in response to a change in federal law that prohibited discrimination against children due to pre-existing conditions. HB 1166 drew widespread support and Georgians for a Healthy Future was proud to be a part of the coalition effort that ensured its passage.
The bad news: Georgia did not pass health insurance exchange legislation in 2012. While HB 801 and SB 418 were introduced by Representative Gardner and Senator Orrock, respectively, as companion bills to establish a health insurance exchange in Georgia, neither bill received a hearing. All information from the Governor’s Health Insurance Exchange Advisory Committee, which met throughout the second half of 2011 to develop recommendations on this issue and ultimately did not recommend establishing an exchange in 2012, is available here. Georgians for a Healthy Future had been strongly supportive of the exchange concept for Georgia (see our issue brief on this issue here); however, failure to pass legislation in 2012 means that Georgia will not be able to demonstrate readiness for an exchange on the timeline currently outlined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Georgia consumers will likely have access to a federal exchange beginning in 2014; Georgians for a Healthy Future will continue to monitor exchange developments at the federal and state level.
The rest: Georgians for a Healthy Future works collaboratively with a range of consumer and patient advocacy groups to advance policy priorities around health care coverage, access, quality, and affordability. Several organizations with whom we frequently partner have released excellent legislative summaries featuring health care issues. Here is a sampling:
- Voices for Georgia’s Children reports on legislation that impacted children here.
- The American Cancer Society gives us the lowdown on legislation that impacts access to care through the cancer lens here.
- The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities explains legislation that impacts Georgians with developmental disabilities here.
- Georgia Women for a Change fills us in on legislation that impacts women and girls in Georgia here.
- The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute provides its recap here.
Medicaid and PeachCare Redesign Continues
The Department of Community Health (DCH) has been convening taskforces to gather feedback from consumer advocates, providers and other stakeholders on the current state of Medicaid and PeachCare, areas to be improved, gaps, and other barriers. These task forces will continue to meet over the next several months and through the procurement process. In a recent meeting, DCH officials noted that they have already heard from hundreds of providers, advocates and consumers on their ideas and suggestions for the redesign, but there is still an opportunity to reach out to DCH to share your opinion on the process. Send an email to MyOpinion@dch.ga.gov and let DCH what you care about when it comes to covering our most vulnerable populations.
Georgians for a Healthy Future is proud to be a part of CARE-M: the Coalition to Assure Redesign Effectiveness for Medicaid. CARE-M is comprised of several advocate groups across the state that have a vested interest in the ultimate redesign of Georgia’s Medicaid and PeachCare systems. Many of these groups have been following DCH and Navigant’s progress and have drafted recommendations and policy papers on the topic. To access these documents, click here. To learn more about our collective efforts, visit www.healthyfuturega.org/issues/careforgeorgiaskids. If you or your organization would like to learn more about the redesign process and would like to request a presentation, email Amanda Ptashkin.
2nd Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act
March 23, 2012 marked the 2nd anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act. In the past two years alone, 1500 Georgians with pre-existing conditions have enrolled in the pre-existing condition insurance plan (PCIP); 85,000 Georgian young adults have gained health insurance through dependent care coverage; 106,000 seniors received rebates from the closing of the Medicare donut hole; and 850,000 Georgians accessed free preventive services. To learn more about how the law has expanded coverage and saved the state money, read the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute’s latest report.
To celebrate these early successes and show support for the law, Georgians for a Healthy Future along with Doctors for America, Health STAT, Votehealthcare.org, and Know Your Care held a rally at the Capitol on March 26–the same day that oral arguments began at the Supreme Court on the constitutionality of the ACA. After hearing from doctors, advocates, and patients affected by the new law, the crowd then walked in to the Capitol to present the Governor and Attorney General with a petition with close to 1000 signatures showing broad support of the law. While a Supreme Court decision is not expected until June, thousands of Georgians have already seen the positive impact of the law and this rally urged our state leaders: “Don’t Take Away My ACA!” To view more pictures from the rally, click here. To view the ACA video, click here.
GASOPHE Names New Advocacy Chair on Board of Directors
GASOPHE, the Georgia Society for Public Health Education, recently appointed GHF’s Outreach and Advocacy Director, Amanda Ptashkin, to their Board of Directors. GASOPHE is a professional organization for professional health educators and others in public or community health. As the new Chair of the Advocacy Committee, Amanda will help advance the organization’s legislative priorities which include: strengthening Georgia’s public health infrastructure; increasing the tobacco tax; and supporting implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
MORE >What’s New in Georgia
Georgia Legislative Update
Now that Crossover Day (the 30th day of the 40 day Session and the day by which a bill must pass at least one chamber to remain viable for the Session) has passed, the 2012 Legislative Session enters its final stretch. The legislative calendar is now set through Day 37. Here is what health advocates are watching:
- HB 1166 would restore child-only health insurance policies to Georgia’s individual market. Georgians for a Healthy Future, along with a range of child health advocacy groups, is in strong support of this measure to provide this option for families who need coverage for their kids. The bill passed the House last week and passed through the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee this afternoon. It now heads to the Rules Committee.
- HB 879 would allow non-medical staff to be trained to assist students with diabetes in a school setting when a school nurse is not present. The legislation also allows children, who are able, to manage their own diabetes. This legislation passed the Georgia House of Representatives and will be before the Senate Health and Human Services committee tomorrow.
- SB 471 authorizes an alternative approval process for health insurance policies sold in Georgia and could place hard-fought consumer protections at risk. This bill passed the Senate last week and we will monitor it on the House side.
Several bills that consumer health advocates were supporting did not make the Crossover Day cut:
- HB 1159, sponsored by Representative Pruett, would have created a Joint Study Commission on Education for Parents with Newborn Children to determine how best to gather information, raise funds and create a comprehensive informational video. The video would include but not be limited to information on the prevention of childhood obesity; how to prevent SIDS, shaken baby syndrome, and other forms of child abuse; how to prevent death and injury and additional information which would assist parents to raise safe and healthy children. HB 1159 passed through the House Health and Human Services Committee but did not make it out of the Rules Committee.
- SB 484 would help fight childhood obesity by encouraging – but not requiring – schools to open up and share their safe places for kids to play with responsible groups in their communities like churches, scouting troops, YMCAs and others. SB 484 passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee but did not make it out of the Rules Committee.
- HB 801 and SB 418 were introduced by Representative Gardner and Senator Orrock, respectively, as companion bills to establish a health insurance exchange in Georgia. Neither bill received a hearing.
To read Georgia Health News’ Health Care Scorecard on Crossover Day, click here.
Redesigning Medicaid and PeachCare
In the on-going efforts to redesign Georgia’s Medicaid and PeachCare programs, the Department of Community Health (DCH) has been convening three taskforces to gather feedback from consumer advocates, providers and other stakeholders on the current state of these programs, areas to be improved and gaps and other barriers. For those not appointed to these task forces, there is still an opportunity to reach out to DCH to
share your opinion on the redesign process. Send an email to MyOpinion@dch.ga.gov and let DCH what you care about when it comes to covering our most vulnerable populations.
To help advocates across the state get involved in the redesign conversation, GHF and Voices for Georgia’s Children have created these fact sheets focused on Access, Coverage and Quality. Click here to download them now.
If you or your organization would like to learn more about the redesign process and would like to request a presentation, email Amanda Ptashkin. To learn more about our efforts, visit www.healthyfuturega.org/
Bump It Up a Buck: Kick Butts Day 3/21/12
On March 21st, national Kick Butts Day, the Bump It Up a Buck Coalition will gather at the Capitol to highlight the dangers of teen smoking as well as encourage the legislature to raise the tobacco tax rate–currently among the lowest in the nation. Experts say a dollar increase in the tax would reduce smoking levels in the state, improve the health of all Georgians, conservatively generate more than $340 million in new tax revenue for the state each year, as well as deter youth smoking. According to a recently released report from the Surgeon General, nearly one in four high school seniors and one in three young adults under age 26 smoke and the use of smokeless tobacco is on the rise. To read that full report, click here.
The event will be held on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, and will include a rally on the steps of the Capitol and online activities as well. Georgia currently has the 48th lowest per pack tax in the nation at only 37 cents (national average: $1.46). You can show your support for the initiative by joining the hundreds who Like the idea at http://www.facebook.com/BumpItUpaBuck.
Update on Health Insurance Exchanges
While Georgia policymakers have adopted a “wait and see” approach on developing a health insurance exchange, or marketplace, progress continues at the national level and in many other states across the country. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released its long-awaited final rule on health insurance exchanges. Information about the rule is available here. Separately, the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) released a report spotlighting key issues for building a consumer-oriented health insurance exchange. NASHP interviewed policymakers and advocates from several states, including Georgia, for the report. It is available here. For Georgians for a Healthy Future’s policy brief on a state-based health insurance exchange, click here.
Update on Health Insurance Model Rules and Regulations from the NAIC Spring Meeting
Georgians for a Healthy Future’s Executive Director, Cindy Zeldin, participated in the Spring Meeting of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) as a consumer representative—one of 28 chosen from across the country. The NAIC is currently developing model rules to implement a number of features of the Affordable Care Act that will impact health care consumers across the country and here in Georgia. The group of consumer representatives presented to the NAIC’s Consumer Liaison Committee at the Spring meeting last week in New Orleans. The materials presented by the consumer representatives are available here. We will keep you updated on issues of importance to Georgia health care consumers as they arise.
What’s New in Georgia
Legislative Update
The 2012 Legislative Session continues today as legislators meet for Day 26 of the 40-day Session. Crossover Day (Day 30), when a bill must pass at least one chamber to remain viable for the Session, will be March 7th. Here is what health care advocates are watching:
- The House and Senate have both passed versions of the Amended FY 2012 Budget (HB 741); since there are minor differences, HB 741 now heads to conference committee. Notably, the Senate version added $1.2 million in the Department of Public Health budget for the Children 1st program to replace the loss of Supplemental TANF funds. This program provides screenings for newborns. Also in the Senate version, funds were added to the Department of Community Health budget to reflect projected need in Medicaid but there were also cuts to reflect the rounding down of co-payments to the nearest dollar. Meanwhile, work continues on the FY 2013 budget. Click here for the Georgia Budget & Policy Institute’s analyses of the implications for the state’s health care agencies on the governor’s proposed 2013 budget recommendations.
- HB 1166, sponsored by Representative Atwood, would restore child-only health insurance policies to Georgia’s individual market. Georgians for a Healthy Future, along with a range of child health advocacy groups, is in strong support of this measure to provide this option for families who need coverage for their kids. The bill is expected to be before the House Insurance Committee on Wednesday. You can learn more about this issue by downloading our fact sheet.
- HB 801 and SB 418 were introduced by Representative Gardner and Senator Orrock, respectively, as companion bills to establish a health insurance exchange in Georgia. While leadership in the House and Senate have indicated that there will not be movement on an exchange this year, please thank Representative Gardner and Senator Orrock for their leadership on this important issue. You can learn more about how a Georgia exchange could work by downloading our issue brief here. All information from the Governor’s Health Insurance Exchange Advisory Committee, which met throughout the second half of 2011 to develop recommendations on this issue, is available here.
- HB 1159, sponsored by Representative Pruett, is known as the New Parent Information Bill and would create a Joint Study Commission on Education for Parents with Newborn Children to determine how best to gather information, raise funds and create a comprehensive informational video. The video would include but not be limited to information on the prevention of childhood obesity; how to prevent SIDS, shaken baby syndrome, and other forms of child abuse; how to prevent death and injury and additional information which would assist parents to raise safe and healthy children. The bill is expected to be before the House Health and Human Services Committee this week.
Don’t forget to download our Consumer Health Advocate’s Guide to the 2012 Georgia Legislative Session to help you navigate the Capitol! A limited number of hard copy guides are available. Please contact us if you’d like a copy.
Redesigning Medicaid and PeachCare
In the on-going efforts to redesign Georgia’s Medicaid and PeachCare programs, the Department of Community Health (DCH)
is continuining to analyze and evaluate its options and has convened three taskforces to gather feedback from consumer advocates, providers and other stakeholders. The latest taskforce, focused on children and families will hold its first meeting on March 9th. GHF’s Outreach and Advocacy Director Amanda Ptashking will be there to represent health care consumers who currently access these programs or who will gain access through the Medicaid expansion in 2014. Part of the charge of this taskforce includes identifying:
- Program features identified in the Navigant report that are most/least appealing to meeting the needs of families and children;
- Current features of the program that should be maintained;
- Largest unmet need of the current program;
- Better medical management and coordination for children in foster care;
- Additional insights not identified in the report; and
- Identification of critical design features needed to protect the needs of children and families
If you or your organization have thoughts on the above charge, please email Amanda Ptashkin. To learn more about the redesign process, visit www.healthyfuturega.org/
DCH is still soliciting feedback on Navigant’s Strategy Report either through their Feedback Tool or by submitting a brief comment or question to MyOpinion@dch.ga.gov. The deadline for submitting detailed feedback, comments or questions is February 29, 2012, at 5 p.m. (ET).
Final rules issued for new plain-language information and tools
A new survey shows that consumers aren’t satisfied with the level of customer service they receive from their health insurance plans. In fact, the industry ranked the lowest of any industry measured in this survey. Additionally, other studies have found that consumers often find health insurance jargon confusing, which makes it challenging for consumers to select a policy that best meets their needs, to know what is covered and what isn’t, and to understand their rights as consumers if disputes arise. While overshadowed by some of the other major reforms included in the law, the Affordable Care Act contains some exciting reforms for consumers in this area, including making available access to clear, plain language information about their insurance plans. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued final regulations on February 9th requiring an easy-to-understand Summary of Benefits and Coverage and a uniform glossary of terms. These new tools will be available to consumers on September 23, 2012. More information is available here and here.
Hospital infection rate information now online
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has made data on hospital-acquired infections, including data for Georgia hospitals, available online. Nationally, about one in twenty patients are affected by a hospital-acquired infection. While 27 states require disclosure of patient safety information such as data on hospital-acquired infections, Georgia does not, making this new online resource an important tool for Georgia consumers. Georgia Watch, which has spearheaded support for public disclosure of this information in Georgia for years, has more information here.
Bump It Up a Buck Coalition Maintains Momentum in 2012
Members of the Bump It Up a Buck coalition (including Georgians for a Healthy Future) are working together to maintain the momentum needed to secure an increase in the consumption tax on cigarettes by $1. Experts say the measure would reduce smoking levels in the state, improve the health of all Georgians and conservatively generate more than $340 million in new tax revenue for the state each year. As part of our efforts to increase awareness of the issue, members of the coalition will participate in the first celebration of national Kick Butts Day to be held in Atlanta since 2008. The event will be held on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, and will include a rally on the steps of the Capitol and online activities as well. Georgia currently has the 48th lowest per pack tax in the nation at only 37 cents (national average: $1.46). You can show your support for the initiative by joining the hundreds who Like the idea at http://www.facebook.com/BumpItUpaBuck.
MORE >What’s New in Georgia
2012 Legislative Session Update
Fifteen days of the 2012 Legislative Session have passed. Last week, the House passed the Amended FY 2012 budget with several changes to the Governor’s proposal. Both the House and Senate are continuing to hold hearings throughout the week on the FY 2013 budget.
Health Insurance Exchange Stalls in Georgia
Georgia lags other states in progress towards establishing a health insurance exchange as authorized by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), despite the fact that Georgia stands to experience one of the largest drops in the uninsured as a result of the ACA reforms, according to an analysis by the Urban Institute. At our Health Care Unscrambled breakfast in January, a panel of Georgia policymakers discussed prospects for a health insurance exchange and indicated that exchange legislation would not move through the General Assembly in 2012. Nevertheless, Representative Pat Gardner has introduced HB 801 to establish a Georgia health insurance marketplace, or exchange. Please thank Representative Gardner for taking a stand on this important issue! For recent news articles on health insurance exchanges and Georgia, click here and here.
Modernizing Medicaid and PeachCare
The Department of Community Health recently released a long-anticipated Strategy Report from Navigant, the consulting firm hired to evaluate the state’s redesign options for Georgia’s Medicaid and PeachCare programs. The Strategy Report includes a national and Georgia-specific environmental scan of Medicaid and CHIP programs, as well as three delivery options for DCH to consider as it moves into the Procurement and Implementation Phases of the redesign process. To read DCH’s press release on the Navigant Report, click here. To read the report and appendices, click here.
The next part of the Recommendation Phase includes an analysis and evaluation of the Strategy Report with the goal of finalizing the redesign model by April 2012. DCH is soliciting feedback on the Strategy Report either through their Feedback Tool or by submitting a brief comment or question to MyOpinion@dch.ga.gov. The deadline for submitting detailed feedback, comments or questions is February 29, 2012, at 5 p.m. (ET).
In order to assist health care advocates as they respond to the Navigant report, Georgians for a Healthy Future has designed a mircosite to house all relevant information on this on-going process. Visit www.healthyfuturega.org/
Bump It Up a Buck
With the 2012 Legislative Session underway, the Bump it Up a Buck campaign is once again advocating for a $1 per pack increase in the state’s tobacco tax. Raising cigarette taxes is one of the most effective ways to reduce smoking, particularly among Georgia’s kids, and will raise important new revenue for the state. Georgians for a Healthy Future is proud to be a part of the Bump It Up a Buck coalition along with leading members the American Cancer Society, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, the Cancer Action Network of the American Cancer Society, the Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology, and the Georgia Public Health Association. To learn more and to get involved, visit www.BumpItUpaBuck.org.
Update on Essential Health Benefits
Georgians for a Healthy Future is monitoring developments at the federal level that will impact benefits and consumer protections for new individual and small group health plans in Georgia beginning in 2014. In December, the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO), the division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services charged with implementing the provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) related to private health insurance, released a bulletin on the essential health benefits (EHB) that all new plans will need to include.
The bulletin allows states to select the EHB for plans in their state from ten benchmark plan options. These include: (1) any of the three largest Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) plans by enrollment, (2) any of the three largest state employee health benefit plans by enrollment, (3) the largest plan by enrollment in any of the three largest small group insurance products offered in the state, or (4) the largest commercial non-Medicaid Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan in the state.
Information about which plans these are in Georgia can be found here. Georgia has not yet made a benchmark selection from among these plans, and we are working to identify more specifics about the benefit packages within these plans. We will keep advocates informed as we learn more about this ongoing process. If you’re also monitoring developments around EHB, please share information with us so we can communicate it to a range of health care advocates.
MORE >At Georgians for a Healthy Future, we envision a day in which all Georgians will have the quality, affordable health care they need to lead healthy lives and contribute to the health of their communities. Working towards this vision takes many forms: talking directly with local community members throughout Georgia about the health care issues they’re facing; partnering with other organizations to form coalitions to build and mobilize support for better health care policies to address these needs; and engagement with policymakers to extend health care coverage to more Georgians, expand access to care, and ultimately improve health outcomes. We couldn’t do any of this without YOU! Thank you for telling us your health care stories, for collaborating with us on shared goals, for volunteering with us, and for contributing your time and dollars to our health care advocacy efforts.
Please consider supporting Georgians for a Healthy Future with a financial contribution. As a nonprofit organization, our work is funded through foundation grants and contributions from supporters like you. Please provide your support and stand with us as we fight to improve health care for Georgia consumers.
Have a happy and healthy Holiday Season!
What’s New in Georgia
Georgians for a Healthy Future Executive Director Named as NAIC Consumer Liaison Representative
Our Executive Director, Cindy Zeldin, was named by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) as one of 28 consumer liaison representatives from across the country for 2012. The NAIC/Consumer Liaison Committee assists the NAIC in its mission to support state insurance regulation by providing consumer views on insurance regulatory issues and provides a forum for ongoing dialogue between NAIC Members and Consumer Representatives. This appointment comes at a critical time, as the NAIC has been delegated a central role in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act by establishing standards, definitions, and consulting on model regulations—policy choices that will have a big impact on health care consumers here in Georgia and around the country. The NAIC news release is available here.
Georgia Health Insurance Exchange Advisory Committee Issues Final Report
The Health Insurance Exchange Advisory Committee issued its final report this week, calling for the development of a small business health insurance marketplace outside the context of the exchange framework authorized by the Affordable Care Act but failing to explicitly recommend the establishment of a health insurance exchange for individual consumers. Georgians for a Healthy Future’s Executive Director, a member of the committee, wrote a minority report calling for Georgia to take advantage of the opportunity to cover the uninsured and improve our health insurance marketplace by building a Georgia exchange in 2012. You can read the committee report, the minority report, and all other supplemental materials here.
Healthcare Unscrambled
Georgians for a Healthy Future’s 2nd Annual Policy Breakfast
Health Care Unscrambled, Georgians for a Healthy Future’s annual policy breakfast, brings together health care policymakers, stakeholders, experts, and advocates for an energizing look ahead at the top health issues facing our state as the 2012 Legislative Session gets underway. Please be sure to register today! This year’s breakfast will be on Thursday, January 12th from 8 AM to 10:30 AM and boasts:
• A panel discussion with Georgia legislators and state officials, including Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens, Representative Pat Gardner, Representative Richard Smith, Senator Renee Unterman, and Senator Nan Orrock
• A keynote presentation from Dr. Len Nichols, one of the nation’s leading health economists
• Highlights from GHF’s forums and workshops with community leaders across the state
• GHF’s 2012 policy priorities announced
To purchase tickets or to become a sponsor of the event, click here. We hope to see you in January!
MORE >
What We Are Thankful For
At Georgians for a Healthy Future, we envision a day in which all Georgians will have the quality, affordable health care they need to lead healthy lives and contribute to the health of their communities. Working towards this vision takes many forms: talking directly with local community members throughout Georgia about the health care issues they’re facing; partnering with other organizations to form coalitions to build and mobilize support for better health care policies to address these needs; and engagement with policymakers to extend health care coverage to more Georgians, expand access to care, and ultimately improve health outcomes. We couldn’t do any of this without YOU! Thank you for telling us your health care stories, for collaborating with us on shared goals, for volunteering with us, and for contributing your time and dollars to our health care advocacy efforts.
Have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!
What’s New in Georgia
Advocacy Demystified: Tools and Strategies for Effective Consumer Health Advocacy
Advocacy may seem overwhelming, but it’s a lot easier–and can have a bigger impact–than you might imagine. You already have the knowledge, passion, and commitment to be a successful and effective health care advocate. All you need are the right tools. Today we are releasing our latest issue brief: Advocacy Demystified: Tools and Strategies for Effective Consumer Health Advocacy, to arm you with the tools you need to advocate for health care change and empower you to start making a difference in your communities. This is a tool meant for sharing so feel free to send to any individuals or organizations who you think would find it useful. Click here to access the issue brief.
Georgia’s health insurance exchange committee finalizes work, receives national press
The final report of the Governor’s health insurance exchange advisory committee is expected on December 15th. The committee held its last full meeting on October 27th (click here for meeting minutes) and is now drafting the final report, which is expected to be the basis for legislation in 2012 reforming Georgia’s health insurance marketplace through the establishment of an exchange. The work of the committee received attention in the Washington Post and Kaiser Health News this week. Georgians for a Healthy Future is representing the consumer voice on the committee and will continue to provide updates and advocacy opportunities on this process as they arise. To see Georgians for a Healthy Future’s priorities for a consumer-friendly health insurance exchange, download our brief here.
Developing essential health benefits: Opportunity to provide input
Beginning in 2014, many health insurance plans, including those to be offered through the new state-based health insurance exchanges, must cover a minimum package of preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic services and products comparable to those offered in a typical employment-based plan. The specifics of the package are being developed right now by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and HHS has encouraged consumer advocates to provide input. Here is how to weigh in:
Step 1: Learn more about essential health benefits and this process by reading issue summaries here and here or by participating in an upcoming webinar hosted by the National Academy for State Health Policy here.
Step 2: Prepare and e-mail your comments to ExternalAffairs@HHS.gov. HHS has requested that comments address some or all of the following 5 points below:
- In keeping with the title of the Institute of Medicine report “Essential Health Benefits—Balancing Coverage and Cost,” how can the Department best meet the dual goals of balancing the comprehensiveness of coverage included in essential health benefits and affordability?
- How might the Department ensure that essential health benefits reflect an appropriate balance among the categories so that they are not unduly weighted toward any category?
- What policy principles and criteria should be taken into account to prevent discrimination against individuals because of their age, disability status, or expected length of life as the Affordable Care Act requires?
- What models should HHS consider in developing essential health benefits?
- What criteria should be used to update essential health benefits over time and what should the process be for their modification?
Events and Forums
Building a Healthy Georgia: Widening the Safety Net and Ensuring Greater Access to Care
On Wednesday, November 30th, Georgians for a Healthy Future is hosting a Building a Healthy Georgia Event in Savannah. The focus will be on widening the safety net and ensuring greater access to care for Georgians living in the Coastal Region. We’ll cover topics including:
- Local perspectives on the specific health care challenges facing the coastal region
- How the Affordable Care Act impacts the community and individuals; Georgia’s opportunity to customize
- Widening the safety net and expanding access to care
- Medicaid redesign and upcoming 2014 expansion
The event will take place at the Coastal Georgia Center from 4 PM to 6 PM. For more information and to register for the event, click here.
SAVE THE DATE: Healthcare Unscrambled 2012
Health Care Unscrambled, Georgians for a Healthy Future’s annual policy breakfast, brings together health care policymakers, stakeholders, experts, and advocates for an energizing look ahead at the top health issues facing our state as the 2012 Legislative Session gets underway. Please be sure to save the date! This year’s breakfast will be on Thursday, January 12th from 8 AM to 10:30 AM and boasts:
- A panel discussion with Georgia legislators and state officials, including Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens, Representative Pat Gardner, Representative Richard Smith, and several more to be announced
- A keynote presentation from Dr. Len Nichols, one of the nation’s leading health economists
- Highlights from GHF’s forums and workshops with community leaders across the state
- GHF’s 2012 policy priorities announced
What’s New in Georgia
Reforming Georgia’s Health Insurance Marketplace: All About Exchanges
Earlier this week, Georgians for a Healthy Future joined with 150 health care advocacy organizations across the country to submit public comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on their proposed federal rule regarding health insurance exchanges, the new state-level health insurance marketplaces that will take shape across the country in 2014. One of the most important pieces of this process is making sure that the exchange works for consumers and not just for insurance companies. That’s why we joined in recommending that HHS prohibit people with conflicts of interest from serving on the governing body and take steps to ensure adequate representation of consumer interests. You can read the full public comments here.
Department of Community Health’s Medicaid Redesign Project Continues, Advocates Weigh In
Over the last several weeks, Navigant, the consulting firm hired by the Georgia Department of Community Health to oversee the Medicaid Redesign assessment, has been conducting focus groups across the state as part of the environmental scan stage of the process. They have met with providers, consumers, advocates and vendors.
Opportunity to Provide Input to HHS on Essential Health Benefits
Upcoming Georgia Health Agency Meetings
The new Department of Public Health will hold its next monthly board meeting on November 8th. Details are available here. The Department of Community Health’s board meets on November 10th. Those meeting details are available here.
A New Resource Guide on Affordable Care Act Grants
The Affordable Care Act authorized a range of grants that states, communities, and other entities can apply to receive for certain health care initiatives such as prevention, public health, and provider workforce development. A new guide presenting clear, easy-to-find, accurate information on the pilot projects, grants, and workforce development initiatives is now available. It includes a directory of departments and offices in charge of administering the programs. Included is a grant description, application timeline, most recent appropriation and information on eligibility requirements. To access the guide, click here.
Events and Forums
Building a Healthy Georgia: The Impact of Health Care Reform on Central Georgia’s 50+ Community
On Tuesday, November 15th, Georgians for a Healthy Future and AARP of Georgia are hosting a Building a Healthy Georgia Event in Macon. The focus will be on the impact of health care reform on central Georgia’s 50+ community. We’ll answer questions like:
- What does the law means for uninsured adults aged 50+?
- How will the individual insurance market change?
- How will the law help me pay for my prescription drugs?
- What will it take to make the ACA work for all Georgia citizens?
The Prevalence and Toll of Diabetes on Georgia
On Tuesday, November 22nd, Georgians for a Healthy Future will hold a webinar training for D-ATLAS, a unique tool that enables health advocates and policymakers to map health disparities in diagnosed type 2 diabetes and obesity (BMI of 30 or greater). The D-ATLAS provides the prevalence of and cost associated with diabetes and the prevalence of obesity by race/ethnicity, age, or gender in the United States, by individual state, county or by legislative district. The ability to create customized maps that localize diabetes disparities is a compelling reference source and these maps may be generated and disseminated to support educational, advocacy, and public affairs initiatives. The webinar will take place from 10 AM to 12 PM. To learn more about D-ATLAS, click here. To register for the webinar, email Amanda Ptashkin.
SAVE THE DATE: Health Care Unscrambled 2012
What’s New in Georgia
Health Insurance Exchange Advisory Committee Issues Interim Report
The Governor’s Health Insurance Exchange Advisory Committee, charged with determining whether Georgia should establish a state-based health insurance exchange, issuedan interim report on September 15th, available here. Georgians for a Healthy Future’s executive director is a member of the committee and is currently participating on the governance and insurance markets subcommittees. GHF has also released an issue brief about the potential benefits of a well-designed exchange for health care consumers in Georgia, and we welcome your input to help us best represent the consumer voice on the committee. The next full meeting of the committee will be held on October 27th from 10am-2pm at the Department of Community Health (2 Peachtree St, 5th floor). All meetings are open to the public. Final committee recommendations are due to the Governor on December 15th per the Executive Order issued earlier this year.
New Department of Public Health Holds Initial Board Meeting
The newly-appointed nine-member Board of Public Health convened for the first time on September 26th. Over a period of nearly three hours, the members of the Board were provided a wide-ranging overview of the new Department of Public Health’s operations, including plans for trimming the FY2011 and FY2012 budgets. The new Department Of Public Health was established as a stand-alone state department on July 1, 2011, under legislation passed by the 2011 General Assembly. To view the slides from the meeting, click here.
Children Eligible for State Health Benefits Plan Can Now Opt for PeachCare
Starting in October, parents of children eligible for the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) can now opt to enroll their kids in PeachCare for Kids™ during open enrollment—a move that is expected to save money for parents as well as the state. The new option is expected to bring 40,000 Georgia children into the state’s PeachCare program. Currently, 200,000 kids are covered under PeachCare. To read a recent Georgia Health News article on the transition, click here.
Navigant Begins Stakeholder Focus Groups
As part of the environmental scan that consulting firm Navigant is tasked with undertaking as part of their Medicaid Redesign contract, in a few weeks they will begin convening stakeholder focus groups across the state. To be invited to one of these sessions, interested stakeholders must have registered on the DCH website back in September. For those not selected to attend the focus groups, Navigant has launched an online survey for consumers, patients, providers and vendors to weigh in on the process. Click here to access the survey.
Events and Forums
Medicine and Society Lecture Series Event This Friday
On Friday, October 7th, GHF executive director Cindy Zeldin will be presenting “The Affordable Care Act: Implications for Georgia” to attendees of the Medicine and Society Lecture Series at Grady Hospital. Presented in collaboration with Emory’s Department of Medicine, the Urban Health Initiative, and Social Medicine Work Group, this event will inform future health professionals about the intricacies of the ACA, how it will unfold through the implementation process, and what it means for medical professionals. For more information, contact Jada Bussey-Jones.
Interdisciplinary Care in Action: Meeting Tomorrow’s Health Care Needs
On Thursday, October 13th, HealthSTAT is coordinating an interdisciplinary professional panel to discuss how today’s students can prepare themselves to be tomorrow’s interdisciplinary leaders. Outreach and advocacy Director Amanda Ptashkin will be on the panel to discuss the important role of health professionals in helping to shape the future of our health care system. To learn more about the event, click here.
State of Public Health Workforce
On Tuesday, October 25th, Foothills Area Health Education Center (AHEC) is hosting a webinar, the “State of the Public Health Workforce in the State of Georgia.” This program will provide an overview of the challenges and strategies to increase the public health workforce and activities that support the professional development of the public health workforce in the State of Georgia. For more information about the webinar, click here. To register, click here.
What’s New in Georgia
Health Insurance Advisory Committee Recommends Creation of Georgia Exchange
Throughout the summer, the Governor’s Health Insurance Exchange Advisory Committee has been meeting regularly to study whether Georgia should develop a health insurance exchange. At the August meeting, the committee voted to recommend legislation for a Georgia exchange in 2012 and created subcommittees around governance, insurance markets, operations, and contingency plans to begin exploring design options for an exchange. Minutes from this meeting are available here.
Authorized by the Affordable Care Act, health insurance exchanges are state-level competitive health insurance marketplaces that hold the potential to transform our broken health insurance system into one that is transparent, competitive, and that provides consumers with the information, tools, and access to tax credits that can make health insurance more understandable and affordable. But only if we get it right. As this process unfolds, we need your voice to build support for an exchange that will work for all of Georgia’s health care consumers and not one that will work just for the insurance industry.
You can learn more about this issue by downloading Georgians for a Healthy Future’s issue brief about how to build a consumer-friendly exchange here. You can also read additional news reports on the exchange here, here, and here. A list of subcommittee members is available here. The next meeting of the full exchange committee is scheduled for September 22nd at 10am, location TBD. To see how Georgia’s progress compares to that of other states, click here for a spreadsheet describing progress across all states compiled by state refor(u)m.
New Information and Tools for Georgia Consumers Subject to Proposed Health Insurance Premium Increases
Georgia insurance companies proposing to increase health insurance premiums by 10 percent or more must now submit information to the Georgia Insurance Department, which will operate a rate review program to determine if the proposed rate increases are justified. The requirement, which went into effect on September 1st, is part of the Affordable Care Act, and Georgia has chosen to implement a rate review program in compliance with this provision. Consumers will also have access to information about the proposed rate increases, including the rationale behind them, and an opportunity to file comments through a tool on healthcare.gov beginning in mid-September. A preview of this tool is available here. Information about Georgia’s decision to operate a rate review program is available here and here.
Medicaid Redesign Process: Upcoming Stakeholder Forums
At the end of July, the Department of Community Health (DCH) awarded the Medicaid redesign assessment contract to Navigant Consulting. As part of the contract, Navigant will hold up to 30 stakeholder focus groups across the state, in cities yet to be announced. Part of the state environmental scan, the intent of these focus groups is to provide a forum for Georgia-specific input from providers, other agencies, advocates, and others affected by Medicaid and PeachCare to provide useful information to both Navigant and DCH as this process unfolds. If you or your organization wouldlike to participate in these focus groups, you can submit an application online here. To learn more about DCH and Navigant’s plans, click here. The deadline for submissions is September 13th.
2012 and 2013 Budget Update
DCH announced last week that Georgia’s Medicaid and PeachCare programs are facing budget shortfalls of more than $200 million in the current fiscal year (FY 2012) and more than $350 million next year (FY 2013). The agency is not proposing any cuts to manage the shortfall; rather, the department is simply seeking new money from the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget (OPB). Left unsaid is what would happen if new funding is not made available to DCH. Significant provider reimbursement rate cuts would likely be necessary.
In addition to the funding request, the DCH proposal includes provisions to allow (currently ineligible) state employees to enroll their children in Georgia’s PeachCare program (if they meet existing income-eligibility guidelines). This proposal would lead to higher state costs in the PeachCare program, though these costs would be more than offset by state savings in the State Health Benefit Program.
The DCH Board is expected to act on the department’s proposed budget in September, after which the request would be submitted to OPB. To read the Georgia Budget & Policy Institute’s overview of the FY 2012 budget and budget trends, click here.
DCH Awarded Grants for PeachCare Outreach and Enrollment and Public Health Infrastructure Strengthening
Georgia’s Department of Community Health (DCH) recently received two federal grants from the Department of Health and Human Services to improve outreach and enrollment for Medicaid and PeachCare as well as improve the public health infrastructure in Georgia. The first grant, worth $2.5 million, will allow DCH to use technology solutions to better coordinate enrollment and renewal in Medicaid and PeachCare programs. The second grant, worth $499,738, will go to strengthening public health infrastructure for improved health outcomes and to help train and educate public health workers. To learn more about these grants, click here and here.
Events and Forums
Building a Healthy Georgia Started in Augusta and Continues in Butler
Last week, Georgians for a Healthy Future, Voices for Georgia’s Children and Health STAT kicked off our Building a Healthy Georgia campaign in Augusta. With a focus on children’s access to care and health care workforce issues, more than 60 local community leaders, key stakeholders, health care professionals and members of the academic community participated in the event and brought their expertise and passion to the conversation. We are looking forward to working collaboratively to address our most pressing health care issues in Augusta and we look forward to continuing that dialogue in other cities across the state. You can view the power point presentation from the forum here, and see photos from the event here.
Next Thursday, September 8th from 3 PM to 5:30, Georgians for a Healthy Future, the Georgia Budget & Policy Institute and the Georgia Rural Health Association will be in Butler, Taylor county for Building a Healthy Georgia: Workforce Development and the Value of Ensuring Access to Quality Health Care. The focus is on economic and workforce development issues, particularly as they relate to both local fiscal and physical health. You can find out more about the Butler event by clicking here.
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