Будущее альтернативной программы Medicaid в Грузии зависит от решения федерального правительства о финансировании

Funding decision could decide fate of Ga. Medicaid alternative ATLANTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) — Georgia Pathways, the state’s alternative to fully expanding Medicaid, could end at the end of the year if the federal government rejects Georgia’s request for additional funding. Georgia is one of 10 states that has not fully expanded Medicaid. Pathways covers people who earn roughly $15,000 or less a year and can prove they are working or in school for at least 80 hours a month. ‘Out of nowhere, it hit me’: Swimmer fights off alligator attack in Savannah River A man was bitten by an alligator in North Augusta over the weekend. Critics say the work requirement is one reason relatively few people signed up to speak at the first public hearing on the program. Dr. Julia Chase, an emergency physician, told two members of the nine-person board that she had recently treated a patient who could not afford a mammogram. “Two nights ago, I sent a woman to the neuro ICU with a brain bleed from metastatic breast cancer. She couldn’t afford a mammogram,” Chase said. “I’m watching people die because they can’t get appropriate access to care,” Chase said. Georgia previously said Pathways would cover 300,000 people. The program now covers roughly 18,000, according to the script. State seeks federal funding A new federal law will require Georgia to change its work rules in January. The state says those changes will cost more money than it has. Georgia is asking Washington to provide more funding without requiring the state to cover more people. The same request has already been denied for Georgia, Wisconsin and Utah. Ga. doctors see COVID spike with new stomach-related symptoms The Georgia Department of Agriculture is warning farmers, vendors and small businesses about a scam involving advertisements for arts and crafts fairs and farmers markets. If the federal government rejects the request again, the state has suggested Pathways could end entirely. Dr. Blake McGee, a nursing researcher who studies Pathways enrollees, said ending the program would affect the state and the people enrolled. “That would be catastrophic — not just for those individuals, but for our state,” McGee said. A Department of Community Health spokesperson said the department is negotiating with Washington. Gov. Brian Kemp’s office said the governor “is committed to ensuring Georgians have access to quality health care while maintaining fiscal discipline.” Public comment will continue in the coming weeks. Written statements may be submitted to the board. Without action, Pathways will expire at the end of the year if the state and federal government do not reach a deal. Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.