Progress takes time, but it’s driven by people who never stop pushing for it. At this year’s Celebration of Progress & Possibilities, we honor two changemakers whose lifelong dedication to health care and health policy has had a profoundly positive impact on the lives of Georgians: Andy Miller and Wendy Tiegreen.

Georgians with Medicaid or Georgia Access coverage: Your story matters.

Georgians for a Healthy Future is partnering with Families USA to amplify the voices of Georgians who rely on Medicaid and affordable health coverage. If you’ve been helped by Medicaid or the enhanced premium tax credits through Georgia Access, we invite you to share your story.

Why Your Story is Important

Right now, health care protections are at risk. With federal cuts to Medicaid on the horizon and the possible expiration of enhanced tax credits, it’s more important than ever for Georgians to speak up and make their voices heard. Your story can help policymakers understand how these programs affect real lives — and why they need to be protected.

Background

On May 22, the U.S. House passed a sweeping budget bill, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act. The budget bill proposes significant changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace, which is known as Georgia Access in our state. Proponents say these changes will cut costs, but they would also make it harder for many Georgians to enroll in or keep their health coverage.

The Senate is now making its changes to the bill, but what those changes will look like is unclear. As currently written, projections from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) show the House’s changes would reduce overall Marketplace enrollment and increase the uninsured rate nationally and in Georgia. If the budget bill passes as currently written, the combination of Marketplace (including allowing the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits) and Medicaid changes could lead to an estimated 560,000-940,000 Georgians becoming uninsured.^[1] (Notably, some of the marketplace changes presently in the bill are also under consideration by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), meaning they could be authorized through federal regulation even without new legislation.)

Medicaid, the federal health insurance program for low-income children and some adults under 65, is essential to the physical and financial health of Georgia families and the state as a whole.  Medicaid covers almost 2 million low-income Georgians (18% of the state’s population), serves as a crucial lifeline for Georgia’s rural hospitals. It also accounted for nearly 20% of the state’s total budget in 2023. 

However, D.C. politicians are currently considering overhauls to Medicaid that would limit the program’s ability to serve Georgians, dramatically reduce its efficiency and effectiveness, and make it more expensive for the state to operate.  

Ultimately,  if Congress cuts Medicaid, Georgia families will pay the price.

Health care in Georgia isn’t working for everyone. Georgians are struggling with the current system. People navigate complicated processes, wait weeks for care, and drive hours to see a doctor. These aren’t just statistics; they’re real stories from people who rely on the state’s Medicaid program, Georgia Pathways, to meet their health needs.

In an exclusive podcast episode produced by Georgians for a Healthy Future, we hear directly from people living these challenges every day. Their experiences show the barriers to care in Georgia and highlight why we must act now to improve access for everyone.