On Monday, Stacey Abrams announced three new proposals from her health care plan for Georgia. The proposals focus on stabilizing premiums, bringing down Georgia’s infant and maternal mortality rates, and finally, the expansion of Medicaid, which Abrams says would cover nearly 500,000 more Georgians and generate 56,000 new jobs across the state.
“Access to health care is essential for all Georgians to have the freedom and opportunity to thrive,” said Abrams. “As governor, I will help nearly half-a-million uninsured Georgians get covered through expanding Medicaid, adding $8 million dollars a day to our state’s economy and keeping our rural hospitals open. I will also explore a Georgia Premium Stability Program through the Affordable Care Act so Georgians can afford their insurance, and I will expand access to essential health services for women.”
The crux of the plan is the Medicaid expansion. Georgia has the 3rd highest uninsured rate in the country and Abrams lays blame for that at the feet of Republicans opposed to Medicaid. She will make it “a top focus as governor” and says it will bring $3 billion in annually to help pay for doctors, nurses and hospitals. Out of those 56,000 new jobs, a majority of them will be outside Metro Atlanta in areas of the state that may be struggling economically and also may be battling a health care crisis.
Abrams also plans on using a provision of the Affordable Care Act for federal 1332 State Innovation Waivers that allows states to find answers to increase health care access and combat rising premiums. Georgia’s premiums have risen by 50% in the past few years and a Georgia Premium Stability Program would use federal dollars to cover costs for high-cost conditions. As part of stabilizing premiums, Abrams also points to that Medicaid expansion – which research has shown would lower monthly premius by 7-11%.
Women’s health was the other big focus of the Abrams plan. She noted that half of Georgia’s 159 counties do not have an OB-GYN provider and 64 of them lack a pediatrician. Again, the Medicaid expansion is a big piece of the puzzle for Abrams here. Medicaid would help to fund rural hospitals and expand coverage across these areas. Abrams says she is also committed to protecting Roe v Wade and ensuring abortion access. She received the national Champion for Women’s Health Award from Planned Parenthood Action Fund for her work in this area.
If the Abrams campaign continues to make healthcare one of the centerpieces of the campaign, a lot of her support will hinge on the support for Medicaid expansion across Georgia. An AJC poll back in January showed that 73% of Georgians supported Medicaid expansion – including 51% of Republicans. Kemp is unlikely to support any expansion. He has frequently called it a “failed government program” that will not actually make things better. Whether that matters to that 73%, and how much it might matter, could have a big impact in November.
To read Abrams’ full plan: https://staceyabrams.com/media/abrams-announces-plan-to-stabilize-premiums-to-support-womens-health/
