Key Republican Lawmaker Says Georgia Should Consider Medicaid Expansion

Modern Healthcare:
Georgia Eyes Medicaid Expansion

In an effort to better provide healthcare to Georgia’s exploding population and as a way to balance the state’s budget, conservative lawmakers are renewing temporary Medicaid payment increases and looking at expanding the program, according to a Republican state Senate leader. Sen. Renee Unterman, chairwoman of the Senate’s Health and Human Services committee, said that while she’s been critical of Medicaid expansion, she’s seeing hospitals close and people waiting to see providers. Unterman added that she is not alone, and that she believes there is enough support in the Senate for a conservative expansion model, similar to the one in place in Arkansas. (Dickson, 5/18)