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.

How Preventive Care Saves Lives

Preventive care is a cornerstone of public health. These services help detect and treat health conditions early, before they become life-threatening or financially devastating.

Some of the most widely used preventive services include:

• Cancer screenings, such as mammograms, pap smears, colonoscopies, and BRCA genetic testing (used to detect breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers in their early stages when treatment is most effective).
• Cardiovascular screenings, including blood pressure and cholesterol checks,  and statin use, help prevent heart disease in at-risk adults.
• Pregnancy-related care, such as gestational diabetes testing, depression screenings, and preeclampsia prevention with low-dose aspirin, protects pregnant individuals at risk.
• Mental health evaluations, including screenings for depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, identify conditions early and prevent crises.
• Routine well-woman and well-child visits monitor development, manage chronic conditions, and provide counseling on lifestyle changes.

In Georgia, millions of people rely on these services each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, increasing colorectal cancer screening rates to 80% could reduce deaths from colorectal cancer by 33% by 2030. Meanwhile, screenings for diabetes and obesity help Georgians manage conditions before they lead to complications like kidney failure or stroke.

The Economic Benefits of Preventive Care

Preventive care isn’t just about screenings or lab tests,  it’s about helping people stay healthy and live full, productive lives. By catching health issues early, we help people stay engaged with their families, maintain their jobs, and avoid medical emergencies that can turn life upside down.

Think about a mom who gets a routine blood pressure screening and starts treatment before it leads to a stroke, or a construction worker who catches diabetes early enough to avoid nerve damage that could take him off the job. These aren’t just good health outcomes; they are life-changing moments that prevent financial strain, lost income, and long recoveries.

When people are healthy, they can better care for their children, support their communities, and contribute to Georgia’s workforce. And when families avoid large medical bills and unpaid time off, they become more financially stable. Preventive care gives people the power to manage their health and secure their futures – before problems become crises.

That’s why it’s so important to protect these services. The cost of prevention is small compared to the high emotional, physical, and financial toll of letting illness go unchecked. Keeping preventive care accessible and affordable is a practical way to protect Georgians’ health and peace of mind.

The Threat to No-Cost Preventive Care

While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) made many preventive services available at no cost to people with private insurance, this protection is now at risk. A case that will be heard before the U.S. Supreme Court later this month—Kennedy v. Becerra (previously known as Braidwood v. Becerra)—could overturn the requirement that insurers cover preventive services without out-of-pocket costs.

If the Court rules against the ACA’s preventive care mandate, the impact on Georgia would be devastating. Nearly 5 million Georgians could lose guaranteed access to these services, including:

• 1.3 million children, who rely on vaccinations, vision checks, and developmental screenings
• 1.7 million workers at small businesses, who depend on employer-sponsored plans that follow federal rules
• Families in rural areas, where timely care is already limited and expensive
• Women who rely on prenatal screenings, postpartum mental health evaluations, and contraception counseling
• Seniors who need osteoporosis screenings, fall prevention support, and healthy diet and exercise counseling

Losing no-cost access to these services would create significant barriers to care, forcing many people to delay or forgo essential services they cannot afford. This would lead to more advanced disease, increased use of emergency care, and poorer health outcomes across the state.

SB 262: Georgia’s Opportunity to Act

Georgia doesn’t have to wait for a Supreme Court ruling to protect its residents. Senate Bill 262 (SB 262) would safeguard no-cost preventive care for people covered by state-regulated insurance plans, regardless of federal decisions.

SB 262 would:

• Require state-regulated health plans to continue covering preventive care without out-of-pocket costs
• Preserve access to screenings for cancers, chronic illnesses, and mental health conditions
• Help small businesses and workers maintain stable and affordable coverage
• Provide consistency for families across urban and rural communities

Most importantly, the bill achieves all of this without increasing government spending or creating new burdens for businesses. It’s a common-sense solution to protect health, economic stability, and peace of mind for millions of Georgians.

While SB 262 did not move forward in this year’s legislative session, the bill can still be passed next year during the second half of Georgia’s two-year legislative cycle. That’s why it’s so important for advocates, health professionals, and everyday Georgians to speak up now.

How You Can Support Preventive Health in Georgia

Preventive care is still available—but we must act to keep it that way. Here’s how you can help:

• Use your preventive benefits. If you have health insurance, take full advantage of no-cost services like checkups, screenings, and mental health evaluations.
• Encourage others to get screened. Family, friends, and coworkers may not know they’re eligible.
• Support Protecting these services. Contact your state legislators and urge them to protect access to preventive care by passing SB 262 in the 2026 session.
• Need help with your insurance? Visit Georgians for a Healthy Future’s Get Help with Health Insurance page for free resources and one-on-one assistance.

Protecting Preventive Care for a Healthier Georgia

Preventive care is one of the most effective ways to save lives, lower costs, and improve public health. During National Public Health Week, we’re reminded that building a healthier Georgia takes ongoing investment, advocacy, and collaboration.

By protecting access to no-cost preventive services, we ensure that all Georgians—no matter their zip code, income, or insurance status—can get the care they need to stay well. Let’s work together to safeguard this essential part of our health care system and create a stronger, more resilient Georgia for generations to come.