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 the opportunity to comment on Georgia’s 1115 Demonstration Waiver extension application for the Pathways to Coverage program. I am writing on behalf of Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI), a non-profit, non-partisan research and advocacy organization. GBPI is focused on analyzing Georgia’s state budget and advancing solutions that expand economic opportunity and well-being for all Georgians. GBPI supports most of the modifications proposed in the waiver extension application and is grateful to state agency leadership and staff for their openness to ongoing feedback and input. However, GBPI is concerned that these modifications do not go far enough, and we urge the Department of Community Health to consider a more inclusive, fiscally responsible approach that ensures all low-income adults have access to the life-saving health care that they deserve.
