As Georgia faces the public health emergency of COVID-19, it can be hard to be optimistic about our health and our futures. However, Georgians for a Healthy Future believes that our state can successfully overcome this tremendous challenge if Georgians adhere to the advice of public health experts and our state’s leaders swiftly adopt evidence-based policies that protect the health and safety of all Georgians. At the same time, Georgia leaders must look ahead to ways they can promote the health and well-being of all Georgians in the economically challenging months to come. Georgians for a Healthy Future has identified policy priorities that we believe are necessary for success in addressing the immediate public health emergency and the emerging economic consequences. These are the policies that we will fight for as we continue our fight for the health and wellness of all Georgians.

Our recommendations are shaped by feedback from GHF’s board of directors, partner advocacy organizations, local groups helping Georgians in their communities, and stories from Georgians just like you. You can share your COVID-19 experiences with GHF here. Thank you for your generous input.

As the status of this crisis changes and we gather more information, you can find updates to these policy recommendations and actionable information here.

Health system capacity and public safety

GHF supports:

• Statewide and local shelter-in-place orders and other aggressive social distancing practices to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus
• Funding to quickly expand the capacity of Georgia’s Department of Public Health to test and monitor the spread of COVID-19
• Funding to purchase personal protective equipment for health care workers
• Funding to purchase equipment for patient care like ventilators and respirators
• Maximizing the scope of practice for all qualified and licensed health care providers (e.g. physicians assistants, advanced practice registered nurses, registered nurses)
• Expanding options and health coverage of telehealth and virtual visits in all medically appropriate circumstances

Access to quality, affordable health care for all Georgians

GHF supports:

• Maximizing Medicaid flexibility and funding to increase access to care by:
  • Expanding Medicaid to all poor and near-poor Georgians (those making less than 138 percent of the federal poverty line)
  • Taking advantage of emergency 1135 waivers to increase the number of providers who can see Georgians with Medicaid coverage
  • Adopting administrative changes to preserve coverage for current Medicaid members and to enroll Georgians who are already eligible but unenrolled, including the expansion of presumptive and retroactive eligibility and a halt on the annual renewal process
  • Expanding coverage of home- and community-based services and long-term services and supports
• Expanding access and protections in comprehensive private health coverage
  • Promoting enrollment for people who qualify for private insurance, especially among those who are eligible for financial assistance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by:
    • Establishing a new Special Enrollment Period for people who wish to purchase health insurance now
    • Easing the enrollment and paperwork requirements for people enrolling in coverage due to job loss or income changes
    • Prohibiting health insurers from canceling a consumer’s coverage, even if they fall behind on premium payments
  • Eliminating cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing (and related tests) and treatment
  • Limiting the sale of plans that do not offer comprehensive benefits or follow the standards set by the ACA
  • Establishing comprehensive surprise billing protections
• Promoting access to mental health services and substance use recovery supports for all Georgians
• Easing limits on prescription drugs so that consumers can more easily access 90-day supplies of medications

Equity at the center of the response

This pandemic will hit some Georgia communities harder than others. All federal and state policy remedies should endure to offer the most help to those who are disadvantaged due to income, race or ethnicity, disability or health status, age, geography, and other factors. Georgia’s response must proactively address health equity concerns. Among other strategies, this should include disseminating public health messages that include information about affected groups and communities in languages and contexts they understand and directing additional funding to community health centers and other providers that serve disproportionately impacted communities.

Meeting the basic needs of Georgians and their families

As evidenced by yesterday’s job loss statistics, it is imperative that the public health response to the COVID-19 crisis be followed by an ambitious economic response. GHF supports policies that provide equitable opportunities for stability, dignity, and well-being for all Georgia families. While not an exhaustive list, these policies include:

• Expanded access to Georgia’s unemployment insurance system, including 26 weeks of benefits and the easing of eligibility requirements and activities.
• A moratorium on foreclosures and evictions, the provision of rental assistance and mortgage forbearance, and other supports that keep Georgians in their homes
• Improved access to nutritious foods through SNAP, WIC, school system food programs, and other public programs
• Universal paid family leave that allows workers regardless of income to take time off to care for themselves and their loved ones in times of sickness and crisis
• A moratorium on utility shut offs, including internet access so that families can keep the lights on and children can continue to learn remotely

GHF will support partner organizations in their efforts to advocate for these policies and supports for Georgia families and individuals.

Some of these policies have been adopted or partially adopted by federal officials, Governor Kemp, and state agency officials. GHF thanks Georgia leaders for the actions they have already taken. In the coming weeks, GHF will track which policies are fully implemented, partially adopted, or not taken up at all, and will provide updates accordingly.

Thank you for your support and advocacy. We wish you health and safety!