Tiffany Garnace, 9to5 GA Communications Coordinator
tiffany@9to5.org
July 10th, 2024
The Cover Georgia coalition applauds the appointments made by Governor Kemp and legislative leaders to the Comprehensive Health Coverage Commission. Established by HB 1339, the Commission will spend the next 18 months advising state leaders and policymakers about issues related to access and quality of health care for low-income and uninsured Georgians. The Cover Georgia coalition looks forward to the Commission’s work to study opportunities and find solutions that improve the health and well-being of all Georgians, particularly those with limited resources.
With such experienced and diverse members, the Cover Georgia coalition is confident that the Commission will carry out a community-driven process that engages the Georgians at the center of their charges.
“We stand ready to support the Commission in connecting with and hearing from low-income and uninsured individuals and families across the state through public-facing meetings and community input sessions,” said Georgians for a Healthy Future Executive Director Laura Colbert. “Hearing the voices of those directly impacted is an essential component of developing relevant findings and recommendations to share with state leaders.”
Through a community-focused process, Cover Georgia coalition partners anticipate that Commission members will hear from Georgians about one of the largest holes in Georgia’s health care system: the state’s health insurance coverage gap. This gap leaves thousands of low-income adults uninsured without any options for affordable, quality health coverage.
“Closing Georgia’s coverage gap would enable nearly half a million uninsured and low-income adults to become newly insured so they can see a doctor when they’re sick and get medicines to help them get and stay healthy,” said 9to5 Georgia Executive Director Jasmine Bowles. “Closing the gap is the most meaningful, affordable, and practical solution that the Commission could recommend state leaders take action on in the near term”
The Cover Georgia coalition is heartened by the opportunity that the Commission and its work present to work together towards a brighter future when all Georgians have quality, affordable health coverage and access to care.
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About 9to5 Georgia: 9to5 Georgia is a statewide chapter of the National Association of Working Women, a member-based, grassroots organization advancing economic justice for women and nonbinary people of color to better living & working conditions. For over 50 years, 9to5 has been at the forefront of the fight for expanded childcare, pay equity, paid sick days, family leave, and discrimination-free workplaces. Most recently, the 9to5 Working Women’s Agenda has evolved to include housing, environmental, and utilities justice.
About Cover Georgia: Cover Georgia is a broad coalition of community stakeholders and advocates working to ensure health coverage for ALL Georgians. Our campaign aims to close Georgia’s health insurance coverage gap to cover low-income Georgians as envisioned by the Affordable Care Act. Members of Cover Georgia engage in advocacy, share personal stories, and work to influence policy changes to expand access to health care for those who need it most. For more information, visit covergeorgia.org.
