Atlanta, Georgia – Governor Brian Kemp recently signed a high-profile healthcare measure into law, sparking renewed discussions on the potential for full Medicaid expansion in the upcoming year. Despite his firm stance against full expansion, Governor Kemp emphasized the need for more time to implement and enroll individuals in the Pathways to Coverage program.
Launched last July, Pathways to Coverage aimed to partially expand coverage for low-income Georgians who meet certain activity requirements. However, the program has only reached less than 4,000 out of the 350,000 eligible individuals, with delays attributed to legal battles with the Biden administration. In response, the state has filed lawsuits seeking more time to fully implement the program.
The new bill signed by Governor Kemp primarily focuses on the state’s certificate-of-need rules, as well as creates a commission to address healthcare issues affecting low-income and uninsured populations. The commission, led by a health policy expert appointed by Kemp, aims to submit a report by year-end in preparation for the upcoming legislative session.
During a recent ceremony in Athens, Governor Kemp highlighted increases in funding for rural hospital programs and regulatory changes to facilitate the establishment of new healthcare facilities. He emphasized the importance of expanding access to crucial healthcare services, such as psychiatric and substance abuse programs, prenatal care, and hospital facilities.
Despite the failed attempt to pass a Medicaid expansion proposal in the previous legislative session, advocates and lawmakers continue to push for comprehensive healthcare coverage in Georgia. With ongoing discussions and mounting pressure on Governor Kemp to reconsider full expansion, attention now turns to the newly established Comprehensive Health Coverage Commission.
The establishment of the commission has sparked optimism among healthcare advocates, who believe that it could potentially pave the way for expanded coverage for uninsured Georgians and support struggling hospitals, particularly in rural areas. As discussions surrounding Medicaid expansion in Georgia evolve, stakeholders remain hopeful for positive changes in the state’s healthcare landscape.