Help Move Georgia Forward
Ahead of Anniversary of Medicaid, Case for Expansion in Georgia Clearer Than Ever
On Friday, July 30, the one in five Georgians who rely on Medicaid will celebrate the 56th anniversary of the landmark program, which provides health coverage to low-income adults and children. But Georgia Republicans’ continued refusal to expand Medicaid has left hundreds of thousands of Georgians uninsured, Georgia’s health outcomes some of the worst in the county, and the state’s rural health care infrastructure without the resources it needs to stay afloat.
Medicaid expansion is more popular than ever, with a majority of Georgians supporting it. It is also fiscally sound – if Georgia were to expand Medicaid now, the state would receive enough federal funds to cover the cost of Medicaid expansion and then some.
Amid Georgia Republicans’ refusal to do the right thing, Democrats in Congress — led by Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock and Representatives Carolyn Bourdeaux, Lucy McBath, and Nikema Williams — have introduced legislation to create a federal pathway for Medicaid expansion that bypasses Kemp’s inaction.
“There is no logical reason for Georgia Republicans to continue blocking Medicaid expansion. Not only is it the morally correct thing to do, but it is a good financial deal for Georgia,” said Rebecca Galanti, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Georgia. “The fact that Brian Kemp claims he is strong on economic issues but refuses to expand Medicaid is ironic at best and cruel at worst. Georgia would now pay nothing for Medicaid expansion, yet Republicans still oppose it, revealing their opposition was never about the cost – it was about partisan politics and denying health care to low-income Georgians. While Republicans continue to drag their feet on Medicaid expansion, Georgia Democrats are fighting to circumvent Republican inaction and give Georgia’s economy the boost it needs as we recover from the pandemic.”
FAST FACTS: Medicaid Expansion Would Boost Georgia’s Economy
Medicaid Expansion is Good for Georgia’s Economy
Medicaid Expansion is Good for Georgians’ Financial Stability
Read more about how Medicaid expansion will increase coverage, improve health outcomes, and strengthen rural health care in Georgia.
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