Budget and Taxes Health Justice Higher Education K-12 Education Reports Overview of Georgia’s 2019 Fiscal Year Budget January 24, 2018 / February 26, 2021 by Taifa Smith Butler The $26 billion state budget proposed by Gov. Nathan Deal for the 2019 fiscal year starting July 1, 2018 lays out Georgia’s spending priorities for the coming year. It represents a $1.03 billion increase in total state spending over the 2018 budget approved last year. The budget is based on a very lean estimated growth […] Read more » Budget Budget & Taxes economy health Higher Education K-12 Legislature medicaid
Blog Health Justice K-12 Education Taifa Smith Butler Worker Justice Help Rural Georgians’ Health and Pocketbook January 15, 2018 / January 14, 2020 by Taifa Smith Butler | 1 Comment on Help Rural Georgians’ Health and Pocketbook Originally posted in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Lawmakers appear poised to try something new to help struggling communities in rural Georgia and our neighbors from Blue Ridge to Thomasville are no doubt glad to receive the attention. Ideas floated recently by a state House study committee range from expanding broadband access to paying professionals to relocate […] Read more » EITC HOPE medicaid Op-Ed
Blog Health Justice Laura Harker Governor’s Vision for Georgia Omits Help for Struggling Health Care System January 12, 2018 / January 14, 2020 by Laura Harker Gov. Nathan Deal delivered his final state of the state remarks yesterday without addressing Georgia’s growing rural health care crisis. Six rural hospitals have shuttered since 2013 across the state, leaving holes in local economies, and more than half of Georgia’s remaining rural hospitals are financially vulnerable to closure. Opioid abuse and unmet mental health needs are decimating […] Read more » Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal health health coverage health-care medicaid Medicaid Expansion State of the State
Blog Budget and Taxes Higher Education K-12 Education Worker Justice State of the State Highlights Recent Gains, But Major Needs Remain for Georgia January 11, 2018 / January 14, 2020 by GBPI Admin Gov. Nathan Deal gave his eighth and final State of the State address, titled Orchards of Opportunity, Thursday morning, highlighting accomplishments and challenges throughout his tenure, taking a focus on business and looking ahead in 2018. The GBPI team provided commentary on Twitter throughout his address, offering insight on progress made in recent years and focusing […] Read more » Budget Budget & Taxes economy Education Higher Education HOPE Scholarship K-12 medicaid Medicaid Expansion
Blog Health Justice Laura Harker Georgia Ready to Close Coverage Gap January 11, 2018 / January 14, 2020 by Laura Harker | 1 Comment on Georgia Ready to Close Coverage Gap Closing the Gap is Good for Georgia’s Economy As new enrollees gain access to health coverage, the money spent on providing that coverage does not go into their pockets. Instead, these dollars go into the health care system and generate significant economic activity. Every one hospital job in Georgia creates two jobs in the surrounding […] Read more » coverage-gap medicaid
Blog Jennifer Owens Worker Justice An Investment in Georgia Women is an Investment in a Stronger State December 20, 2017 / January 14, 2020 by Jennifer Owens This year marks a watershed moment for women in the United States. Across the nation, women are reminding employers of their importance and need for respect in the workplace. Women are also signing up in record numbers to run for office. And many women are asking their policymakers to take action on policy change to […] Read more » Earned Income Tax Credit economic opportunity Economic Security economy Georgia women Georgia Work Credit medicaid Medicaid Expansion wage gap
Health Justice Laura Harker Reports Fight Substance Abuse, Improve Mental Health Care to Help More Georgians December 13, 2017 / March 15, 2021 by Laura Harker Improving the prevention and treatment of mental health conditions and substance abuse disorders is critical to ensure the well-being of all Georgians. State lawmakers made significant progress in recent years to improve behavioral health treatment for core challenges of mental health and drug addiction. But Georgia still is home to one of the highest uninsured […] Read more » Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities health medicaid Medicaid Expansion mental health opioid substance abuse
Blog Health Justice Laura Harker Graham-Cassidy Bill Risks Health Coverage and Pre-Existing Condition Protections for Georgians September 21, 2017 / January 14, 2020 by Laura Harker The U.S. Senate plans to vote next week on yet another proposal to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Like proposals senators rejected in July, the just released Graham-Cassidy bill caps and cuts the Medicaid program and allow states to remove protections that allow residents to get and keep their coverage. These changes […] Read more » Graham-Cassidy health health-care medicaid Medicaid Expansion Pre-Existing Conditions
Blog Claire Suggs Health Justice K-12 Education Updated: Proposed Medicaid Cuts Threaten Georgia’s Most Vulnerable Students September 21, 2017 / January 14, 2020 by Claire Suggs More than 118,000 students in Georgia cope with disabilities. Some are students with visual or hearing impairments while others have autism or developmental delays. Many have learning disabilities, speech impairments or other intellectual or physical disabilities. These children need extra support to attend classes with their peers and fulfill their potential. This extra support requires […] Read more » Claire Suggs Federal Medicaid Cuts Georgia Department of Education Graham-Cassidy health health-care K-12 medicaid
Blog Health Justice Inclusive Economy for Immigrants Laura Harker Georgia Takes Steps to Strengthen the Health Care Workforce September 8, 2017 / April 2, 2020 by Laura Harker | 1 Comment on Georgia Takes Steps to Strengthen the Health Care Workforce Georgia lawmakers are scheduled to meet Monday to study barriers that block Georgians’ access to adequate health care. The committee is set to examine ways to remedy provider shortages and ease scope of practice restrictions on advanced practice registered nurses. Georgia lawmakers can use this opportunity to consider some sensible solutions to improve provider capacity […] Read more » Department of Community Health health health-care Laura Harker medicaid Medicaid Expansion