Cost estimates reach $2.5 billion over a decade.
Is 2017 the Year for Medicaid Expansion in Georgia?
So far, the prospect of expanding
Medicaid in Georgia has met staunch opposition from Gov. Deal and many
Republican legislative leaders because of high costs that state taxpayers will
be on the hook for as federal funding tapers off. However, discussions about
the program’s expansion have continued, and the issue will almost certainly
come up again in the next legislative session.
While some Republican lawmakers have
begun to support Medicaid expansion, the road to passage would still be very
difficult, reported the Atlanta
Journal-Constitution. At the Georgia Republican Party’s state
convention in June, delegates overwhelmingly supported a resolution opposing
expanding the program.
Options on the table in 2017 could
include renewing the “bed tax” on hospitals and/or an alternative expansion
version similar to those chosen by other states, such as Arizona, Arkansas, and
Indiana. These states have opted for things like hybrid private-option plans,
hospital fees, and more contribution from enrollees to help pay for expansion
This will be an issue to watch in
the coming months and in the next legislative session.
