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Legislative Update: Week 11

Georgia State Capitol

WEEK 11: WHAT THE SENATE BUDGET MEANS FOR HEALTH CARE IN GEORGIA

Last week, the Georgia Senate passed its version of the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) state budget. The FY27 budget funds the state from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. The Senate made significant changes to the House’s version of the budget, including dramatically expanding waiver capacity for Georgians with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), redistributing Medicaid provider rate increases, and scaling back several House investments in public health, workforce, and rural health infrastructure.

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Legislative Update: Week 10

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WEEK 10: COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER CERTIFICATION BILL AWAITS FINAL PUSH

Community Health Worker

As the 2026 legislative session enters its final days, one critical workforce bill remains stalled in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

HB 291, which would establish Georgia’s first certification process for Community Health Workers (CHWs), crossed over to the Senate last year but has yet to receive a committee vote. With just a few legislative days remaining before Sine Die on April 2, time is running short for this important workforce investment.

CHWs play a vital role in Georgia’s health care system by bridging gaps between communities, social services, and health care providers. They go by many titles, including Patient Navigator, Community Health Navigator, and Promotora de Salud. HB 291 would create a state-approved certification process with standard training and competencies, helping CHWs do their work more effectively and sustainably.

Community Health Workers deserve professional recognition and consistent training standards. With limited time remaining in the session, members of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee need to hear that Georgians support this workforce investment.

 
Tell the Senate HHS Committee to Vote on HB 291

Here’s what you need to know about HB 291 and where it stands:

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Legislative Update: Week 9

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Week 9: What the House Budget Means for Health Care in Georgia

Last Tuesday, the Georgia House of Representatives passed its version of the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) state budget. The FY27 budget funds the state from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. The House version builds on the Governor’s recommendations with significant new investments in Medicaid provider rates, graduate medical education, maternal and child health, and public health infrastructure.

Here is what the House version means for health care and the programs Georgians rely on:

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Legislative Update: Week 7

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Week 7: What the Final AY26 Budget Means for Health Care in Georgia

Last Wednesday, the House and Senate reached an agreement on the Amended Fiscal Year 2026 (AY26) state budget. The final version now goes to the Governor for his signature, after which the new spending plan will take effect.

Here is what this budget means for health care, human services, and the programs Georgians rely on:

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What Are Higher Health Insurance Costs Doing to Your Family?

What Are Higher Health Insurance Costs Doing to Your Family?

If your health insurance costs went up this year, you are not alone.

Thousands of Georgians are paying more for their Georgia Access coverage right now. Some have seen their monthly premiums double or even triple. Others have had to choose cheaper plans with higher deductibles or drop coverage completely. These aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet. They represent real families making difficult decisions about their health and financial security. Are you one of these Georgians?

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Love in motion: Honoring Georgia’s family caregivers this November

Georgia’s family caregivers give their time, energy, and hearts to care for loved ones every day. This National Family Caregivers Month, Georgians for a Healthy Future celebrates their stories and calls for stronger policies to support them.

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to honor the Georgians who care for loved ones, neighbors, and community members with strength and compassion. Every day, family caregivers perform acts of love in motion—managing medications, offering emotional support, navigating health systems, and keeping households running.

At Georgians for a Healthy Future (GHF), we’re proud to support caregivers through our Caregivers Advisory Group, which is dedicated to raising awareness and expanding outreach to caregivers of all ages, in both paid and unpaid roles. This group helps shape policies that ensure caregivers are recognized, supported, and connected to vital resources.

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Updated: Why ACA Premiums May Soon Become Less Affordable and What an Expiring Tax Credit Could Mean for Georgia Families

Millions of Georgians Could Face Big Increases in Health Insurance Costs—Here’s What You Need to Know
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Update – August 2025: Enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits (ePTCs) still expire on December 31, 2025, unless Congress acts. In 2025, Georgia Access enrolled over 1.5 million Georgians, 93% of whom depend on these subsidies to make health coverage affordable. Without an extension, premiums in Georgia are projected to jump over 75% on average, and most 2026 insurer filings already assume the credits will lapse. A typical example: a 60-year-old couple earning about $85,000 would pay roughly $18,000 more per year if the ePTCs disappear. The premium increases resulting from the expiration of the ePTCs could cause about 340,000 more Georgians to become uninsured. In short: swift Congressional action to extend the ePTCs—ideally before rate finalization—would prevent sharp premium spikes for Georgia families and avert significant coverage losses. 

See how costs could rise in your Congressional district or use the calculator to estimate cost increases based on your income information — then contact your members of Congress today and tell them to extend the enhanced premium tax credits to keep health care affordable for Georgia families.

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Help Protect Health Care in Georgia — Share Your Story by August 15th!

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.

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Join GHF’s New Caregiver Coalition and Help Shape Better Policies

Are you a family caregiver in Georgia? Do you support a loved one with a disability, complex health needs, or age-related challenges? If so, your voice is urgently needed.

Georgians for a Healthy Future is launching a new Caregiver Coalition, and we want you to be part of it.

Why Join the Caregiver Coalition?

Family caregivers play a critical role in supporting the health and well-being of Georgians. Whether you care for an adult or child with an intellectual or developmental disability, a physical disability, an aging family member, or someone with complex health needs, your experiences matter.

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Will Washington Roll Back Georgia’s Coverage Gains?

What the House Budget Bill Could Mean for Georgia Access

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.)

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GHF In The News

Apr 6, 2026
Southeast rural hospitals face rising closure risk, leaving small towns farther from care
Courtney Dwaileebe

Rural hospitals across the Southeast are facing mounting financial and staffing pressures that experts warn could leave more small towns without nearby medical care. The National Rural Health Association reports…

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