Having access to transportation is crucial to having access to health care. Each year millions of Americans miss or delay health care because they do not have a way to get there.

Medicaid’s non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) program helps bridge the gap between home and the doctor’s office for individuals who are covered by Medicaid. In 2018, 396,000 Georgians got to their health visits using the free NEMT benefit.

In partnership with The Arc Georgia and the Georgians in the Driver’s Seat initiative, Georgians for a Healthy Future (GHF) staff have spoken with consumers around the state about their transportation needs and the NEMT program.

Legislative update: Sine Die

Thank you for your continued readership and support during the 2021 legislative session! The GHF team is proud to deliver timely, accurate updates to you on health care happenings at the Capitol. We hope that they have helped you stay informed and connected. If you have enjoyed reading each week’s edition, please consider supporting our work with a donation today. Thank you very much!

In this week’s update:

• Our priorities: “Express lane” Medicaid, telehealth, and prior authorization
• Status update: Which bills continue to the Governor’s desk and which ones were left behind
• GHF’s got you covered this session!

Legislative update: Week 9

The GHF team prides itself on delivering timely and accurate updates to you on health care happenings at the Capitol. We hope that you enjoy reading our weekly legislative updates and that they help you stay informed and connected. If you enjoy them, please consider supporting our work with a donation today. Thank you for your continued support!

In this week’s update:

• Action alerts: Tell your legislators to support Medicaid expansion & prior authorization!
• Our priorities: Express lane Medicaid & expanding telehealth services
• Crossover day recap
• Advocacy events this week: LGBT advocacy & League of Women Voters virtual legislative day
• President Biden signs COVID-19 relief including extra Medicaid expansion funding for Georgia
• GHF’s got you covered this session!

Legislative update: Week 8

The GHF team prides itself on delivering timely and accurate updates to you on health care happenings at the Capitol. We hope that you enjoy reading our weekly legislative updates and that they help you stay informed and connected. If you enjoy them, please consider supporting our work with a donation today. Thank you for your continued support!

In this week’s update:

• Action alerts: Ask the House Rules Committee to prioritize mental health & substance use recovery today!
• Bills likely to receive a House or Senate vote today
• Approved last week: Emergency services, prior authorization, & the FY22 big budget
• Advocacy events this week: HIV decriminalization & Medicaid expansion advocacy day!
• U.S. Senate approves COVID-19 relief including extra Medicaid expansion funding for Georgia
• GHF’s got you covered this session!

Legislative Update: Week 7

The GHF team prides itself on being able deliver timely and accurate updates on health care happenings at the Capitol. We hope that you enjoy reading our weekly legislative updates and that they help you stay informed and connected. If you enjoy them, please consider supporting our work with a donation today. Thank you for your continued support!

In this week’s update:

• The General Assembly approves the calendar for the rest of session
• Action alerts: prior authorization, Medicaid expansion, & mental health & substance use updates!
• Legislation: telehealth, changes to nursing rules, & protecting the ACA 
• Advocacy events this week: transgender rights!
• Federal COVID-19 relief – including extra Medicaid expansion funding – passed by U.S. House
• GHF’s got you covered this session!

Legislative Update: Week 6

In this week’s update:

• Action alerts on childhood lead exposure and prior authorization bills
• Legislation on housing and Medicaid expansion!
• Advocacy events this week: housing & Asian Americans
• GHF’s got you covered this session!

Legislative Update: Week 5

The GHF team enjoys keeping you in the loop with these weekly updates and you enjoy reading them! It takes time and effort to deliver this service to you in a complete and accurate way every week of Georgia’s legislative session. If these updates help keep you connected to the health happenings under the Gold Dome, please consider supporting our work with a donation today. Thank you very much!

In this week’s update:

• Vote expected tomorrow on bill to reduce the number of uninsured children in Georgia
• Legislation on telehealth, prescription drug savings, tobacco and vaping education, and more!
• Governor’s partial Medicaid expansion plan hits roadblock
• Advocacy events for your calendar
• GHF’s got you covered this session!

Legislative Update: Week 4

Thank you for your readership and enthusiasm for GHF’s weekly legislative updates! The GHF team enjoys putting these updates together to keep you in the loop. We work hard to deliver this service to you in a complete and accurate way every week of Georgia’s legislative session. If you rely on these updates to keep you connected to the health happenings under the Gold Dome, please consider supporting our work with a donation today. Thank you very much!

In this week’s update:

• Take action to reduce the number of uninsured children in Georgia
• Legislation on vaccine administration, lead poisoning in children, prior authorization, and a Medicaid public option!
• Advocacy events for your calendar
• GHF’s got you covered this session!

Legislative update: Week 3

In this week’s update:

• Georgia House approves changes to the current state budget
• Take action to preserve coverage & access to care for Georgians with HIV/AIDS
• Legislation on kids’ and pregnancy Medicaid, mental health, Georgia’s all payer claims database, lead poisoning in children, and more!
• Advocacy events for your calendar
• GHF’s got you covered this session!

Ramatu lives in Gwinnett County with her four children for whom Medicaid helps to meet their unique health needs. Medicaid provides a lifeline for Ramatu’s family and helps ensure that her children receive the health care they need. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 54% of Georgia children with special health care needs are covered by Medicaid. 

“Two of my kids are on straight Medicaid because of the severity of their disability. The other two, they are on what is called care services.”  –Ramatu