On Monday, Governor Brian Kemp took part in a roundtable focused on healthcare in Georgia. Kemp discussed the Patients First Act which he said put forth Georgia-centric policies for healthcare, including Georgia Pathways and Georgia Access instead of Medicaid expansion.
“The numbers speak for themselves,” according to Kemp. “To date, these two programs alone are providing health coverage for over 714,000 Georgians who fall under 138 percent of the federal poverty level. To be clear, the rosiest projections for traditional Medicaid expansion estimate 500,000 people under 138 percent of the federal poverty limit would be eligible. Not actually enrolled – just eligible.”
Kemp touted the benefits of the state’s plans compared to Medicaid expansion.
“Georgians enrolling in private sector insurance through Georgia Access enjoy better coverage that fits their individual needs. Georgia Access enrollees have more options to choose from. And third, coverage gained through Georgia Access pays our healthcare providers a better reimbursement rate for the care they provide than Medicaid.”
He said enrollment in the private sector exchange has grown from 460,000 five years ago to 1.3 million currently. State Based Exchange that will launch later this year.
Kemp was joined by Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King, Department of Community Health Commissioner Russel Carlson, and others.
