Open enrollment is almost here! From November 1, 2025, through January 15, 2026, Georgians can shop for health insurance coverage for 2026 through GeorgiaAccess.gov.

This year brings a few important changes, including higher premium rates and the end of extra savings that made coverage more affordable in recent years. 

Here’s how to make the most of this year’s open enrollment period and find a plan that works for you and your family.

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.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: WEEK 11

The 2025 legislative session is in its final stretch, with just a few days left until Sine Die (the last day of the session) on Friday, April 4th. Lawmakers are racing to finalize key bills and the state budget—and there’s still time for you to speak up.

Things can move quickly in these final days, and last-minute advocacy opportunities may arise. Stay connected with us on social media throughout the week so you don’t miss a chance to take action when it matters most.

After the session ends, we’ll share a full recap, including updates on health care bills that passed (or didn’t), what it all means for Georgians, and any health-related study committees that will convene before next year’s session. In the meantime, you can check out our bill tracker to follow the legislation we’re monitoring as we get closer to Sine Die.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: WEEK 10

The 2025 legislative session is in its final stretch, with two weeks left until session ends on April 4th. With only a few legislative days left, lawmakers are working quickly to finalize key bills and the state budget. You can view the legislative schedule here. 

Ending the Practice of Subminimum Wage in Georgia

Last week, the House passed Senate Bill 55, the Dignity and Pay Act. The bill now heads to the Governor for final approval. SB 55 phases out the use of 14(c) certificates in Georgia to pay subminimum wages (below the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr) to workers with disabilities.

Initially intended to promote employment for disabled veterans, Section 14(c) of the 1938 Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) permits paying people with disabilities wages below the statutory federal minimum wage. Section 14(c) can no longer apply to disabled veterans, yet it remains a legal way to pay people with disabilities – usually people with developmental disabilities (DD) – below minimum wage. (Employers using 14(c) waivers often pay disabled employees just pennies per hour.) More than 85 years after the law’s initial passage, the policy has frequently led to exploitation—leaving workers with developmental disabilities earning wages far below the poverty line in roles that offer little chance for growth or advancement.

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.