ATLANTA – State Representative Teri Anulewicz (D-Smyrna) joined the Georgia Democratic Caucus last week for a press conference where the caucus announced legislation to expand Medicaid in Georgia. During the press conference, representatives discussed barriers that prevent Georgians from receiving affordable health care and called on members of the Georgia General Assembly to support House Bill 669, the “Expand Medicaid Now Act,” which would provide for Medicaid expansion under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
“In 2016, Georgia’s uninsured rate was 12.9 percent, which is equivalent to about 1.2 million Georgians,” said Rep. Anulewicz. “Medicaid expansion would close the coverage gap for an estimated 240,000 Georgians who do not currently qualify for Medicaid, but make too little to get financial help to buy health insurance on the marketplace. This statistic is a terrible disservice to Georgians, especially considering that 42 percent of House District 42 residents currently live without health care coverage.”
During the press conference, House Minority Leader Bob Trammell (D-Luthersville) stated that healthcare access was the No. 1 priority for the Georgia Democratic Caucus. House Democrats argue that Medicaid expansion would offer more Georgians access to basic healthcare, reduce uncompensated care costs, provide support to rural hospitals and bolster the state’s economy.
Representative Teri Anulewicz represents the citizens of District 42, which includes portions of Cobb County. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2017 and currently serves on the Code Revision, Intragovernmental Coordination and Transportation committees.
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