Health Justice Leah Chan Press Releases & Statements Public Has Until June 1 to Comment on Georgia’s Medicaid Work Requirements as Coverage Barriers Persist May 13, 2025 / May 13, 2025 by Leah Chan This press-release was co-authored with Georgians for a Healthy Future As federal officials consider extending Georgia’s Pathways program and Congress considers applying a nationwide Pathways-like work requirement to adults in Medicaid, Georgia advocates urge the public to speak out by June 1. ATLANTA — Georgia’s limited Medicaid program with work reporting requirements has underperformed on […] Read more »
Health Justice Leah Chan Press Releases & Statements Our Comments on the Pathways to Coverage 1115 Demonstration Waiver Extension Notice February 26, 2025 / February 26, 2025 by Leah Chan On January 21, 2025, Georgia’s Department of Community Health notified the public of its intention to submit an extension for the state’s 1115 demonstration waiver known as Pathways to Coverage. GBPI’s Director of Health Justice, Leah Chan, submitted the following written comment during the state’s public comment period. Dear Executive Director Portman, Thank you for […] Read more »
Bill Analysis Briefs Budget and Taxes Health Justice Leah Chan Overview: 2026 Fiscal Year Budget for the Georgia Department of Public Health February 10, 2025 / February 12, 2025 by Leah Chan Introduction The Department of Public Health programs focus on health promotion and health-related disaster response and preparedness as well as disease and injury prevention. Governor Kemp’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 provides the Department with about $436 million in state funds. That includes $403 million in state general funds and about $13.9 million in […] Read more » Budget Overview
Bill Analysis Briefs Budget and Taxes Health Justice Leah Chan Overview: 2026 Fiscal Year Budget for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities February 10, 2025 / February 12, 2025 by Leah Chan Introduction Among a range of duties, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities operates five state psychiatric hospitals, provides evaluation and treatment for individuals under the jurisdiction of the court system to determine their competency to stand trial and provides community-based services to Georgians living with mental health conditions, substance use disorders and […] Read more » Budget Overview
Bill Analysis Briefs Budget and Taxes Healthy Housing Hillary Dong Overview: 2026 Fiscal Year Budget for State Housing Programs February 7, 2025 / February 7, 2025 by Hillary Dong Introduction The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is the state’s lead agency for safe and affordable housing, community and economic development and local government assistance. DCA’s housing services include providing rental assistance to low- and moderate-income individuals, providing down payment assistance to moderate-income individuals and financing affordable housing development and supportive housing. Additionally, […] Read more » Budget Overview
Bill Analysis Briefs Budget and Taxes Health Justice Leah Chan Overview: 2026 Fiscal Year Budget for the Georgia Department of Community Health February 7, 2025 / February 12, 2025 by Leah Chan Introduction The Department of Community Health administers the state’s healthcare safety net, reimburses hospitals for services provided to uninsured and underinsured Georgians, manages health insurance coverage for state and school system employees and regulates health care and long-term care facilities. Governor Kemp’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 provides the Department with $5.5 billion […] Read more » Budget Overview DCH Department of Community Health
Fact Sheets Health Justice Leah Chan Georgia’s Pathways to Coverage Program – The First Year in Review Fact Sheet January 17, 2025 / January 17, 2025 by Leah Chan In July 2023, Georgia launched the Pathways to Coverage program, which offers health care coverage to adults with lower incomes who do not have access to affordable health insurance. To be eligible they must work, attend school, volunteer or complete another qualifying activity for at least 80 hours per month. The program covers the cost […] Read more »
Health Justice Leah Chan Reports Public Health for All Y’all: How A Thriving, Fully Funded Public Health System Can Support a Stronger, Healthier Georgia December 20, 2024 / January 8, 2025 by Leah Chan Introduction Georgia’s health security and economic well-being depend on a thriving, fully funded state and local public health system. Public health interventions, such as improved sanitation and access to family planning, were the most significant contributors to Americans leading longer, healthier lives in the 20th and early 21st centuries. Increases in public health spending […] Read more » Public Health
Health Justice Leah Chan Press Releases & Statements GBPI Statement on the Comprehensive Health Coverage Commission’s December Report December 3, 2024 by Leah Chan Georgia Budget & Policy Institute (GBPI) applauds the Comprehensive Health Coverage Commission for including an initial set of opportunities for health care coverage expansion and quality improvement in their December 2024 report. GBPI strongly supports the recommendation to examine improvements to the Pathways to Coverage program as the state embarks upon a program renewal process […] Read more »
Health Justice Leah Chan Reports Georgia’s Pathways to Coverage Program: The First Year in Review October 29, 2024 / October 29, 2024 by Leah Chan The Georgia Budget & Policy Institute (GBPI) would like to thank the Georgians who showed courage and vulnerability in sharing their stories and insights with us during the focus groups and interviews. Their expertise makes this work possible. Executive Summary In July 2023 Georgia launched the Pathways to Coverage program and became the only current […] Read more »
