[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6360635,"mediaKeyId","2174439-1141c7c22c5975e5d6c78a1b957d82ca","parentId",2174439,"title","Georgia Health Initiative: Medicaid covers 2.3 million Georgians and accounts for 22% of state budget; managed-care changes ahead","audioSeconds",345,"startMs",3867000,"endMs",4212000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174439-1141c7c22c5975e5d6c78a1b957d82ca&start=3867&end=4212","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174439-1141c7c22c5975e5d6c78a1b957d82ca/thumbnail_3867000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6360635/Georgia/Georgia-Health-Initiative-Medicaid-covers-23-million-Georgians-and-accounts-for-22-of-state-budget-managed-care-changes-ahead","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360635-678e643bec0de7cfc40e5e1be5398f24/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448188&Signature=FOd3IGNevVt5uz0miTdwUXPfgi4ihtHSPgSCyOZEK6oQHHa-vpMaVndhaRv1QIER1TPTPp7IKzctSOdYGoDgYuuK4CeRYMgtMW--5pSCpcuj5n2ujKjcC1Yv~AbMfejbVF5dNdcQGfEkFDIRNsJZmAqQDroG7K2WrhGHxX2AvZ9shKthbRaIe9YyIEvzgDYQqM5OU6IaE74tckTzpIycLglUmp9qXwG8A6GiwAHXJ7DZCib6VCG5k9cNOJMsm-tic4ukWbM5oOnTq6Rkx4uT972MdQFKU5FubulNY-XfdcQD-Q2ScfUdCoX-n86T1rCxrtbC157zyE5tCgPqr6FU4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Georgia State Legislature ","date","2025-01-29T00:00:00Z","article","Cindy Zeldin, vice president for health policy and government affairs at the Georgia Health Initiative, presented the organization's new Medicaid-in-Georgia analysis and told the Senate Health committee that Medicaid currently provides coverage to about 2,300,000 Georgians.

\"Medicaid is a joint state federal program that provides health coverage to, 2,300,000 Georgians, including more than 2 in 5 children in Georgia,\" Zeldin said. She told members Medicaid finances nearly half of births in Georgia and covers approximately three of four nursing home residents.

Zeldin summarized major program features from the data-and-trends report: Medicaid enrollment peaked at about 2.8 million during the federal public health emergency and fell to roughly 2.3 million after eligibility redeterminations. The largest expenditure categories are inpatient hospital, pharmacy, behavioral health and outpatient services, which together represent about 68% of Medicaid spending. The report lists total Medicaid spending at about $14.6 billion, with the federal share (FMAP) at about 66.04% for 2025.

Zeldin also described the state's managed-care program, Georgia Families, which now covers approximately 75% of Medicaid members. She said new managed-care contracts were recently rebid and are expected to take effect in mid‑2026 after contract negotiations and readiness reviews; additional populations may be moved into managed care in later years.

Zeldin said the publication includes deeper information about EPSDT (early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment) for children, waiver programs for seniors and people with disabilities, provider credentialing and geographic access standards. She offered to provide county-level hospital-closure comparisons and other follow-up data to the committee upon request.

Ending: Zeldin asked committee members to use the report as a resource and to contact Georgia Health Initiative with follow-up questions and data requests.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","1/29/2025 Health and Human Services","oneSentenceSummary","Georgia Health Initiative presented a data-driven overview showing Medicaid covers about 2.3 million Georgians, finances nearly half of births, covers the majority of nursing-home residents and represents roughly 22% of the state budget; new managed-care contracts are scheduled to begin in mid‑2026.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Georgia , Georgia","taxId",77688,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6360639,"DCH: Georgia Pathways enrollment limited so far; most denials due to income above eligibility",1123,2354000,3477000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174439-1141c7c22c5975e5d6c78a1b957d82ca&start=2354&end=3477","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174439-1141c7c22c5975e5d6c78a1b957d82ca/thumbnail_2354000.jpg","/articles/6360639/Georgia/DCH-Georgia-Pathways-enrollment-limited-so-far-most-denials-due-to-income-above-eligibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360639-9abc458754c6c4469c44079f071852ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448188&Signature=PNuIs7zkdBH6mcg8vF1K7wV-15XJbFpyOnbbc~WMFMg2hfS0rKZ8MPtE0VDOHiToHXpLvr7Oa72Ems-OI4hzdzWbkclhmuKYmwAmWvIE1l9ypcNyER1CJLSB0dT4q3nMNblYF-pXDU8AoLfffRV0a1Jh6-mqnbUmYNwLkt1ofGYqQ3Ka4Je~yrqx1i8f0qQyGAuTSk5-oFAGUO-svhRkmBPjFzbUk6802touUAdM7LA~3KcNvlXHAOveKgHI7xqw4zfjitkr94d6t1W5kwnIvDvflfAeJCP~BM5BaKQ8z-yxA~hpJktVL~Gg3xoreVBcK~vFluTJMZEUBcTFnRJ75Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Grant Thomas of the Georgia Department of Community Health described Georgia Pathways as one component of the state's Patients First Act framework and told the Senate Health and Human Services Committee that Pathways launched in July 2023.

\"The Georgia Pathways program launched in July of 2023,\" Grant Thomas said, and he described Pathways as targeting adults age 19 to 64 with household incomes at or below 100% of the federal poverty level. Thomas told members that in simple terms the 100% FPL threshold equates to about $15,650 a year for an individual and about $26,650 for a family of three.

Thomas reported that Pathways had 6,514 active members at the time of the briefing and a cumulative total of 9,160 individuals served since the program began. He emphasized that the number of uninsured Georgians potentially eligible for Pathways has fallen since the waiver was written — from 408,000 (2017 data) to roughly 246,000 in 2023 census estimates — largely because more people now qualify for employer-sponsored insurance or for marketplace coverage through Georgia Access.

Thomas said the top reason for Pathways denials is being over income; he described Pathways as intended to be a bridge to private coverage for people who improve their economic circumstances. The qualifying activities for Pathways include full- or part-time employment, community service, vocational training, enrollment in higher education, and other work or training activities. Thomas said the program had invested in outreach — including paid media and partnerships with higher education institutions — and had built electronic interfaces with the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System to streamline reporting for students.

Committee members raised cost and enrollment concerns. Senator Nikki Merritt asked why the program's projected enrollment through 2030 was low relative to the number potentially eligible; Thomas said startup, litigation delays and duplicative costs related to a two-year implementation delay increased initial program costs and slowed enrollment growth, and he stressed the program's intent to shift many individuals to Georgia Access when they become over-income for Pathways.

Ending: Thomas and DCH staff offered to provide additional materials and to coordinate with the Insurance Commissioner’s office to ease transitions from Pathways to Georgia Access.","Department of Community Health officials told the Senate committee that Georgia Pathways — the state's Medicaid waiver program — has lower active enrollment than potential eligibility estimates, that most denials are due to applicants being over income, and that outreach and system delays limited rollout.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6360644,"Georgia Access reports 1.5 million enrollees; officials say state-based exchange increased choice and reduced premiums in parts of the state",466,1338000,1804000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174439-1141c7c22c5975e5d6c78a1b957d82ca&start=1338&end=1804","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174439-1141c7c22c5975e5d6c78a1b957d82ca/thumbnail_1338000.jpg","/articles/6360644/Georgia/Georgia-Access-reports-15-million-enrollees-officials-say-state-based-exchange-increased-choice-and-reduced-premiums-in-parts-of-the-state","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360644-ec1d79c5af8a0b11f146aefc945414f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448188&Signature=WMdz5nOBN89r70CSDe9eDVIKu7qihuhn0X-SsgT9OsFTKwd2X7fYTs6sCDhgTD~QfbOm55BO7hK10o1wVO7hfKYY9TsDVjiqDulrwZUCRP0wNrFtLB59r4RBobtTMsoyf2ULr-xqb9dyn6MfcuIew9PoPN6-t8CoYO91SheXJHB9zaNuJh~NB12XdXUB4j5csObpPl9Jfu~Bp9elQ5qDuX720UySxYe6LFpkeNtGEqnq4y1qlaZkIz7FkvXDkr28cZ-zz7FgE6f1ZvDXK1ywbtaMyP-20lPoqjlNplbF1iXKo8hcbyuItQCXDJrjUWvrk3G2Lkk156KGgP713bYsmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner John King told the Senate Health and Human Services Committee that Georgia Access, the state's new state-based health insurance marketplace, enrolled roughly 1,500,000 consumers during the 2024–2025 open-enrollment period.

\"As a state backed exchange, Georgia Access administers all required functions of the exchange, including consumer eligibility, enrollment system, consumer contact center, and small business health options program,\" Commissioner John King said. He told the committee Georgia Access fully replaced healthcare.gov on Nov. 1, 2024 and that the state-based model allowed targeted community outreach across Georgia.

King reported several performance metrics: Georgia Access enrolled 1,500,000 consumers during open enrollment; 57% of enrollees fell at or below 138% of the federal poverty line; over 225,000 of the enrollees had never previously been enrolled through any exchange; and more than 95% of consumers were eligible for financial assistance. King also said nearly 17,000 licensed agents assisted consumers during the period and that competition among carriers increased choice and lowered premiums in many rural counties.

Committee members pressed presenters on the possible end of enhanced premium tax credits created under the Inflation Reduction Act. Senator Halton noted the potential impact: if the enhanced credits expire, \"estimates suggest that average annual premiums for subsidized enrollees in Georgia could increase by $500,\" and lower-income enrollees would be most affected. Commissioner King said the state was \"making plans in case\" the subsidies expire but urged Congress to act to stabilize coverage.

King and committee members emphasized that the exchange is financed by marketplace fees rather than general state tax revenue. King said fees generated by the marketplace fund operations and a reinsurance-like mechanism used to attract carriers to underserved areas.

The committee did not take legislative action on marketplace policy at the hearing; presenters offered to provide follow-up materials and data to committee members.

Ending: Presenters asked committee members to remain in contact for additional data; officials cautioned that federal policy changes — including subsidy expirations — could alter affordability and enrollment.","State Insurance Commissioner John King told the Senate Health committee that Georgia Access enrolled about 1.5 million consumers in 2025, expanded carrier participation and reduced premiums in some rural counties; presenters warned that the potential expiration of enhanced tax credits could raise premiums.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6360648,"Senate Health Committee adopts rules, holds Medicaid 101 briefing",71,908000,979000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174439-1141c7c22c5975e5d6c78a1b957d82ca&start=908&end=979","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174439-1141c7c22c5975e5d6c78a1b957d82ca/thumbnail_908000.jpg","/articles/6360648/Georgia/Senate-Health-Committee-adopts-rules-holds-Medicaid-101-briefing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360648-f49ba05916e032bc138b1d56e22be05f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448188&Signature=mkkH7-oLlN3My~mNvlSALuoKsszkDNhCqR52WWXDxwJEVr9NYwL0-3UvXCp3buDL8JWEkmjZwVqZliQsE8j0wJQMF-QjB2f~1I12mr9JZBXkp4n5X6jkMWLA-VVy2ftdbD46choOgU9DBy9Ojg7XDsZOkKfxT7ivZF7AyrWn8WABvxooXU14yMx0Azv3JmsoTzQ5IvXcHXA2sbzya5bnBIWT8YznfsKGB8mzoaiYTs04IRkYkoz6CD8w9mFkMeQn0TT2drjT8gL9P2bMibFnZ23dKjg3kvH2VvcOVZFy8~SLzmdsRaBCy5IneC2lebvshIQl7a~jd2U3tKmHaQAB5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Georgia State Senate Health and Human Services Committee adopted its meeting rules and then convened a Medicaid 101 briefing featuring presentations from the state insurance commissioner, Department of Community Health staff and the Georgia Health Initiative.

Committee Chair Senator Watson opened the meeting and asked for a motion to adopt the rules. A motion and second were recorded and the chair called the vote: \"Aye\" was heard and the motion passed.

After adopting the rules, members heard a primer on Georgia's Medicaid waiver framework and three presentations: Commissioner John King on Georgia Access (the state-based insurance exchange), Grant Thomas of the Department of Community Health on Georgia Pathways (the state Medicaid waiver program), and Cindy Zeldin of Georgia Health Initiative on Medicaid program data and managed-care changes.

The briefing included questions from multiple senators about premium costs, work requirements tied to Pathways, and federal subsidy risks if enhanced premium tax credits expire. Committee members did not take final votes on legislation at this meeting; a bill offered by Senator Kirkpatrick was deferred to a later date because of time constraints.

Votes at a glance

- Adopt committee rules — Motion: adopt the rules as provided in committee materials; mover and seconder not specified in the record; outcome: approved.

Meeting context

The session was framed as informational: the chair described the agenda as adopting rules, a Medicaid 101 briefing, and a pending bill that would be carried over if time ran short. Multiple committee members asked technical and fiscal questions during the presentations.","The Georgia State Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted to adopt its rules and then held a Medicaid 101 briefing featuring presentations on Georgia Access, Georgia Pathways and statewide Medicaid trends.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Georgia Health Initiative: Medicaid covers 2.3 million Georgians and accounts for 22% of state budget; managed-care changes ahead

DCH: Georgia Pathways enrollment limited so far; most denials due to income above eligibility

Georgia Access reports 1.5 million enrollees; officials say state-based exchange increased choice and reduced premiums in parts of the state

Senate Health Committee adopts rules, holds Medicaid 101 briefing