Atlanta, Ga. - January 24, 2013 - At the completion of the Georgia's Joint Appropriations Hearings in Atlanta, Senate Democrats urged for critical assessment for much needed health care reform.
"It is unconscionable that as human beings we must debate the cost-benefit analysis of a comprehensive health care system for our citizens, our sick, and our elderly when we have the opportunity to accept federal Medicaid expansion money and increase health care coverage for Georgians," said Sen. Fort, whip of the Senate Democratic Caucus. "I am reminded of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz - we've had had the power to correct the problem all along,"
Senate Democrats' primary concern is the governor's lack of economic foresight regarding Medicaid expansion, as a mandate of the Affordable Health Care Act (ACA).
According to Gov. Deal, accepting the Medicaid expansion funding from the federal government is too costly for Georgia's already strained budget. He suggests the cost to Georgia would be $3.7 billion by year 2022. But studies by the independent Kaiser Family Foundation show those costs reach only $2.5 billion over the next ten years - a cost of less than two percent of the state's annual budget.
In further contrast to the governor's claims are the gross economic advantages the pillar of ACA would provide.
"Not only would more than half a million more Georgians become insured, but the expansion would inject approximately $33 billion into the state's economy over the next decade. The federal government would provide 100 percent of the costs for the first three years and 90 percent of the costs thereafter. Georgia would also gain non-exportable jobs across the socioeconomic spectrum.
Fort said insured citizens continue to pay an average of $1,300 annually to support those without coverage.
"As we face the largest Medicaid deficits in Georgia's history, the leadership of this state continues to focus on short-term strategies, when a healthier Georgia requires a new economic structure valuing comprehensive reform" said Fort.
Gov. Deal's recently backed Senate Bill 24, giving the Department of Community Health authority to levy an expiring hospital provider fee, is a band aid approach to the Medicaid deficit barely covering half of the Medicaid program's budgetary shortfall, Democrats say.
Fort said accepting the Medicaid expansion is "nine to one money" versus the Bed Tax money, which is a "two to one" funding match.
Senate Democrats say sweeping cuts to the state's health care programs doesn't stop at Medicaid.
Sen. Horacena Tate, who chairs the Senate Democratic Caucus, said commissioners of both the Department of Public Health and Human Services said they are at the 'floor' for providing public health services. Only 16 percent of Georgia's children passed the five basic health fitness indicators.
"We have cut beyond the bone across all Georgia's public health care agencies. Enough is enough," Tate said. "Our citizens deserve better than politics. They deserve to lead healthy and fulfilling lives."
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