Democratic Party of Georgia

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With Rural Hospitals in Danger of Closing, Kemp, Duncan Continue to Rail against Medicaid Expansion

ATLANTA – Today, the Democratic Party of Georgia responded to continued Republican attacks on Medicaid expansion. The latest attack on Medicaid expansion – a move that would insure almost 500,000 Georgians – was issued in a press release from Republican Lt. Governor candidate Geoff Duncan.

“We are shocked that Brian Kemp and his allies continue to oppose Medicaid expansion, which would provide coverage to almost 500,000 Georgians and save rural hospitals from closure,” said Democratic Party of Georgia Chair DuBose Porter. “Medicaid expansion simply pays health providers for the work they do, and these reimbursements will save rural hospitals. It’s not just good for the health of Georgians; it would create jobs and boost Georgia’s economy. Brian Kemp would rather push a reckless economic and health care agenda. Stacey Abrams, Sarah Riggs Amico, and Democrats across Georgia will not back down until Medicaid is expanded in our state.”

The fact that Brian Kemp’s allies are using the issue of Medicaid expansion to attack Stacey Abrams and Sarah Riggs Amico is particularly shocking since 3 in 4 Georgians support the expansion of Medicaid. Keeping Georgians’ tax dollars in Georgia would also create 56,000 Georgia jobs.

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RELEASE: House Democratic Leader Bob Trammell, State Senate District 29 Candidate Valerie Haskins, and rural Georgian Nicole Baxby Assail Brian Kemp’s Policies for Rural Georgia

Brian Kemp Continues to Reject Medicaid Expansion, Job Training Investment, and Expanding Access to Capital Despite Rampant Rural Doctor Shortages, Job Loss, and Extreme Poverty

Brian Kemp Doesn’t Understand the Needs of Rural Georgians

ATLANTA — Today in Columbus, House Democratic Leader Bob Trammell, State Senate District 29 candidate Valerie Haskins, Vice Chair of the Harris County Democrats Nicole Baxby, and rural Georgians convened to discuss the current economic regression of rural Georgia under Republican leadership, while assailing Republican Gubernatorial Nominee Brian Kemp’s plans for rural Georgia.

Throughout this election cycle, Georgia Republicans have boasted about this decade’s economic gains here in Georgia. However, last week, the Atlanta Journal Constitution highlighted the adverse living conditions and lack of healthcare access in Webster County, along with the surrounding rural Georgia areas. The devastating effects of harmful Republican policies are clear: due to a failure to expand Medicaid, invest in job training, and remove barriers that prevent access to capital, under Republican leadership, rural Georgia has begun to decay. Brian Kemp’s proposals would only make this worse. Under Brian Kemp, rural Georgia would continue to be left behind.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in Georgia, sixty-four counties have no pediatrician, seventy-nine have no obstetrician/gynecologist, and nine have no doctor. Twenty-one percent of Webster County residents live in poverty and nine percent of households do not have cars. This is not only unique to Webster County. Georgia’s House District 151 -compromised of Calhoun, Clay, Early, Quitman, Randolph, Stewart, Terrell, Dougherty, and Webster counties- is one of Georgia’s poorest areas. There has been little to no investment in these areas, and Republicans’ refusal to expand Medicaid has only exacerbated this income gap.

Rural Georgians have a choice to make this fall. They can continue to tread in the same direction or they can chart a new path and elect candidates who will give every Georgian the freedom and opportunity to thrive. That is why Stacey Abrams, Sarah Riggs Amico, and Democrats across Georgia are the only choice for rural Georgians this November.

“Brian Kemp’s plans for rural Georgia come up short and lacks specifics,” said Georgia Democratic Leader Bob Trammell. “Georgia has played politics with healthcare, and as a result, hospitals have closed around the state. If there’s one thing that we know, when you lose your hospital, it’s very difficult to attract new jobs because healthcare is so important.”

“Rural Georgians have lived under a Republican administration for many years, over a decade. They did not expand Medicaid, and that is denying over half a million people affordable health insurance,” said Georgia State Senate District 29 candidate Valerie Haskins. “I live in rural Georgia and it takes a long time just to get to the hospital myself. Some people have to drive 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and sometimes that can be a life or death situation. And many people where we live don’t have proper transportation.”

“The Republicans have had ten years of being in power where they promised over and over again that they would take care of our rural communities and find innovative ways and solutions to do that. They’ve broken their promise every single year,” said rural Georgian Nicole Baxby. “When Stacey Abrams promises to make Medicaid expansion a day-one priority, she is going to really help serve our rural communities.”

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RELEASE: On the 53rd Anniversary of Medicaid, Brian Kemp Still Refuses to Support Medicaid Expansion

Under Republican Leadership, Georgia has Already Become an ‘At-Risk’ Patient

Under Kemp’s Plan, Georgia Would Continue to Lose $8 Million Per Day   

GEORGIA – “Brian Kemp and the GOP leadership’s refusal to expand Medicaid has resulted in a loss of more than $3 billion per year in federal funds, making Georgia an ‘at-risk’ patient,” said Democratic Party of Georgia’s Chair, DuBose Porter.

Porter’s statement follows confirmation from Brian Kemp that regardless of the benefits of expanding Medicaid, he would not pursue additional federal dollars for health care coverage through Medicaid. According to US Census data, Georgia currently has a 12.9% uninsured rate, making it the fifth worst in the country. Additionally, six rural hospitals have closed since 2013–costing Georgians thousands of jobs–and more than half of the remaining rural hospitals remain financially vulnerable to closure. This Medicaid expansion would provide payment to hospitals and healthcare providers for their services.

“Despite the irreversible harm that his stances are inflicting on all Georgians, Brian Kemp has made it clear that he does not plan on lifting a finger to improve healthcare measures here in Georgia, putting the lives of Georgians at further risk,” continued Porter. “It is time to elect leaders across the state who will commit to building a healthier, more prosperous Georgia.”

Expanding Medicaid would provide coverage to nearly 500,000 Georgians. Thirty-two other states across the U.S. have expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, – and Georgia is not one of them. Due to GOP leadership in Georgia and their inability to take advantage of the opportunity to expand Medicaid, Georgia ranks near the bottom-tier of statesby many healthcare measures.

By every moral, economic and health measurement available, one thing has become clear— Kemp’s reckless decision to not even consider expanding Medicaid continues to make Georgia an ‘at-risk’ patient.

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Democratic Party Response to Governor’s State of the State Address

Release:  Wednesday, January 10, 2017                                                                  

Atlanta, GA – Today the Chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia, DuBose Porter, issued the following response to the State of the State Address delivered by Governor Nathan Deal:

“This morning, Governor Deal delivered his State of the State Address. While we heard plenty of promises, we did not hear any meaningful solutions to several of the most pressing issues we face as a state.

“More than 300,000 Georgians live without health insurance, we have one of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates, and we rank 49th in Medicaid spending per enrollee. Since 2013, five rural hospitals have shuttered their doors due to lack of funding, and scores more operate under the threat of closure. Yet the governor and his Party not only refuse to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act—they now boast the formation of a ‘repeal Obamacare’ taskforce. All the while, states that have taken advantage of Obamacare’s lifeline have slashed uninsured rates, saved tax dollars and—more importantly—saved lives.

“Georgia has one of the highest poverty rates in the nation, yet our state’s minimum wage remains at an embarrassingly low $5.15. Women comprise 51 percent of Georgia’s population, but we heard no plan to address the gender wage gap. We heard no plan to raise the minimum wage to a standard fitting for the year 2017. Too many workers hold two or more jobs while still living in poverty and are still left out in the cold when it comes to affordable child care, housing, access to health benefits and paid family leave.

“Georgia ranks 38th in per-student spending, investing $1800 less per student than the national average. State budget cuts to education have forced school districts to shorten their calendar year and furlough teachers. Even though voters overwhelmingly rejected Governor Deal’s school takeover plan at the ballot box just months ago, he is pushing another top-down proposal that leaves parents and teachers out of the discussion and does nothing to fully fund our public schools. All this talk about failing schools and still no real discussion about the causes that led to their struggles. Where is the proposal for universal Pre-K? Smaller classrooms? More spending for additional teachers and professionals in the classrooms? When a quality education is the single most power tool given to a child to rise above the economic or class barriers, our state must invest the resources needed to allow educators to equip students for a 21st Century economy.

“The costs to attain a college or technical school degree continue to skyrocket, yet we heard no indication that the governor will work with Democrats to guarantee hardworking students a HOPE scholarship that covers full tuition and the basic necessities on a needs-based system.

“Governor Deal discussed the threat of cybercrimes, but failed to acknowledge the recent attacks on our democracy by a foreign government. And he certainly didn’t mention cyberthreats much closer to home, like we saw just a little over a year ago when the Office of Georgia’s Secretary of State gave out the Social Security numbers and private data of more than six million Georgians, putting our own economic security at risk.

“In his inaugural State of the State Address six years ago, Governor Deal declared that we were ‘entering a new era of smaller government and greater personal responsibility’ and that ‘government must pull back.’ Six years later, we’ve learned that the governor and his Party didn’t just pull back—they pulled the rug out from underneath Georgia families.

“Government certainly isn’t the solution to everything. But it can be a powerful force for good, giving a voice to the voiceless, ladders of opportunity to those who need it most, and safety nets for those who fall. It is the Democratic Party’s mission to ensure that everyone willing to do their part is able to get a well-paying job, buy a home, have affordable healthcare, send their kids to college, and retire with dignity. Democrats in the Senate and House have put forward measures to make these promises a reality, but need willing partners on the other side of the aisle who are committed to working together for what is best for all Georgians.

“As President Obama said last night, we rise or fall as one. We are a community, and our successes and failures are shared. So it is our hope that Republicans work with Democrats to push Georgia down the path of progress.”

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Georgia Democrats Celebrate 50 Years of Medicare

Release:  Thursday, July 30, 2015  

                                                                           

Democratic Party of Georgia Celebrates 50 Years of Medicare 

 

Atlanta, GA – Today, Democratic Party of Georgia Chair DuBose Porter issued the following statement on the 50th anniversary of Medicare.

 

“Fifty years ago today, President Lyndon Johnson signed Medicare into law, giving peace of mind to millions of retired Americans. As a result, people could finally enjoy their golden years without fear of losing their savings and pensions because of medical costs.

 

“If Republican leaders had their way, Medicare as we know it would be obliterated. A safe and secure retirement would be a distant memory. Every year—like clockwork—Republicans push to turn Medicare in to a voucher program, placing insurance companies on the honor system and leaving seniors with nothing more than a coupon.

 

“And here in Georgia, Nathan Deal and his party’s leaders refuse federal funds—our own tax dollars—to expand Medicaid and give hundreds of thousands of Georgians access to the preventative services and health care they deserve. Republicans are turning a blind eye to our struggling rural hospitals. The solution of Medicaid expansion is right there for the taking, but rural health systems remain in critical condition because of political games.

 

“As a community, we have a moral obligation to protect those who are most vulnerable and fulfill a promise made to American workers who contributed to our nation’s economy for decades. Medicare has been a success for 50 years and we must do everything possible to preserve and protect this essential safety net.”

 

 

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Background

 

DNC – Checking in with GOP 2016ers on the 50th Anniversary to Medicare and Medicaid

 

For the past 50 years, Medicare and Medicaid have lifted countless Americans out of poverty and given millions of seniors and families the peace of mind that comes with affordable health coverage. The Affordable Care Act built on this legacy by strengthening the Medicare trust fund, keeping it solvent until 2030.

If we want Medicare and Medicaid to be around for another 50 years, we need to protect these programs from GOP presidential candidates who want to destroy them. Here’s where they stand:

  • Jeb Bush said he wanted to “phase out” the Medicare program.
  • Chris Christie supported the Ryan Budget which would turn Medicare into a voucher system, a move that would have cost seniors an average of $6,000 in extra out-of-pocket costs every year.
  • Marco Rubio endorsed a voucher system, called for raising the retirement age, and said that earned benefit programs that provide Americans with financial security have “weakened us as a people.”
  • Ted Cruz supports the Ryan plan that would turn Medicare into a voucher system.
  • Scott Walker refused to expand Medicaid, a decision that could cost his state $400 million and result in84,700 fewer Wisconsinites being covered.
  • Rand Paul proposed raising the retirement age for Medicare coverage and means-testing the program.
  • Rick Perry said that the Ryan plan for Medicare was “a good idea.”

 

Release: Georgia Federal Health Care Exchange Enrollment Surge Among Highest in Nation

 

Georgia Federal Health Care Exchange Enrollment Surge Among Highest in Nation

Chairman DuBose Porter says report is reality check that highlights urgent need for affordable health care in Georgia

 

Atlanta, GA – On the heels of a new report showing that Georgia had one the largest enrollment surges during the final weeks of open enrollment in the nation, Democratic Party of Georgia Chair DuBose Porter released the following statement in response.

 

“How much more evidence does Nathan Deal and the Georgia Republican Party need for them to admit there is an urgent need to expand access to affordable health care in our state,” said Chairman Porter. “This is a reality check—wake up. More than 316,000 Georgians have enrolled in the federal exchange, 177,000 at the very end.”

 

“Imagine how many Georgians could have peace of mind, imagine how many lives could be saved, imagine the financial security given to hospitals—especially rural hospitals—if our governor would buck up and expand Medicaid. Instead, Republicans in the state legislature enabled him to cower behind the political cover of his party. It’s gutless and it’s heartless.”

 

Georgia is one of 24 states that have refused to expand Medicaid. Days ago, Nathan Deal signed into law HB 990, legislation that removed the power to expand Medicaid from the governor’s office and placed it in the hands of the state legislature.

 

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BACKGROUND

 

HHS Enrollment Report

HHS 5/1/2014 – Enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace totals over 8 million people

HHS 5/1/2014 – Georgia Specific Data

AJC 5/2/2014 – Ga. sign-up surge among tops in U.S.