FACT CHECK: Kemp & Perdue’s Opposition to Medicaid Expansion Hurts Georgians

During the GOP gubernatorial primary debate on WSB-TV, David Perdue and Brian Kemp were asked about improving health care access in rural communities — but they failed to mention Medicaid expansion, a policy they both oppose that would help save rural hospitals, lower health care costs, and create thousands of jobs.

The facts on Medicaid expansion:

• With 9 rural hospitals closing since 2010, including two which closed during the pandemic, Georgia ranks 6th in states with most rural hospital closures and is the 3rd worst for rural hospital stability.

• The refusal to expand Medicaid has led to Georgia missing out on $21 billion in federal health care funds. Our tax dollars are going to other states to cover other Americans whose governors aren’t putting politics over people’s lives.

• Georgia is one of only 12 states that has refused to expand Medicaid. More than 1.5 million Georgians lack health insurance coverage and our uninsured rate is the 2nd highest in the nation at 14.5%.

• Medicaid expansion would be the single largest economic development initiative in Georgia’s history, creating over 64,000 jobs, including 28,800 in health care, 4,900 in construction, 6,500 in retail, 2,000 in finance and insurance, and 21,900 in various other other sectors.

• Medicaid expansion would not make anyone ineligible for private insurance. Studies have shown that Medicaid expansion reduces health care costs across the board, including for those on Medicaid and those with private insurance.

• Expanding Medicaid would provide over 500,000 Georgians with access to affordable health care and help the state save on uncompensated care costs, which in 2019 alone cost Georgia hospitals $2.7 billion.

Read more about the positive impact Medicaid expansion would have on Georgia’s rural communities, Georgians’ health outcomes, and the state’s uninsured rate and economy.

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