Early this morning, the U.S. House passed a budget proposal that would make the largest cuts to Medicaid in the program’s 60-year history and the most sweeping change to U.S. health policy since the Affordable Care Act. Although framed as “program integrity” and cost-saving measures, these provisions would restrict health coverage, squeeze state funding, and narrow benefits in ways that disproportionately harm Georgia’s most vulnerable communities. Georgia already has one of the nation’s highest uninsured rates (11.4% vs. 8% nationally), and about 2 million Georgians rely on Medicaid/CHIP. The current budget proposal is likely to result in 120,000 – 200,000 more uninsured Georgians, as they lose Medicaid coverage or private insurance through Georgia Access. 

National Public Health Week is an opportunity to focus on building healthier communities and ensuring that every Georgian has access to essential care, especially in a state where too many still face barriers to basic health services. One of the most powerful ways to improve health, lower costs, and strengthen economic stability is through preventive health services.

Preventive care like cancer screenings, well-woman visits, and mental health evaluations helps keep individuals healthy and reduce long-term health care expenses. Safeguarding preventive care is not only smart, but also one of the most compassionate and proactive investments we can make as a state.

Access to quality health care isn’t just a service—it’s a basic human right and a key part of a healthy society. This Women’s History Month, we recognize the critical role that health care plays in the lives of women, from preventive screenings and prenatal care to treatments for chronic illnesses and mental health support. Having the right coverage and knowing where to turn for services can make all the difference.

In Georgia, Medicaid is a key resource that helps many women access the care they need. But despite the important protections it offers, many women still fall outside of the eligibility guidelines and remain uninsured.

According to Georgetown’s Center for Children and Families, nearly one in five women between the ages of 18 and 44 in Georgia lacks health insurance—one of the highest rates in the country. The problem is even worse for Hispanic/Latina women, nearly half of whom are uninsured. Black women in Georgia are more than twice as likely as white women to suffer severe complications or die from pregnancy-related causes. Many of these deaths are preventable, yet barriers to care persist.

Georgia’s Medicaid programs offer critical support for eligible women, but they are limited in scope. This blog will help break down the available Medicaid options for women in Georgia, who qualifies, and where to turn for free help enrolling.