Summary:
Current Status of Medicaid Expansion in State:
State has not opted to expand Medicaid before the end of the 2013 legislative session.
Decision Process:
Governor Nathan Deal decided that Georgia will not participate and the state legislature did not approve any expansion legislation.
Background:
· Currently:
19% of Georgians receive Medicaid benefits, 91% of whom have managed care. Enrollment includes those up to 235% of FPL depending on the specific program. The Georgia Department of Community Health oversees the state’s Medicaid program.
· Expansion:
Expansion of Medicaid to 133% FPL would be a 40% increase over current enrollment.
· Process:
While original statements made it sound like the governor was set on rejecting the expansion. Clarifications from the Governor’s office sound as though there may be some small room for discussion.
State Activity:
· Governor Deal has stated that while Georgia will not expand Medicaid because the state cannot afford it. He has held firm on this position and advocacy groups are appealing to the public.
· Georgia is one of the states that sued for repeal of the ACA.
· Advocacy groups like the Georgia Children’s Advocacy Network are engaging the public and stakeholders but the state has no plans to host public forums. Similarly, advocacy groups offer updates and information to Georgians not available through the state government.
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