Georgia Remains Among Worst in Country in Health Insurance Coverage
The U.S. Census Bureau recently released figures that show Georgia remains among the worst in the country in health insurance coverage.
According to the new data, Georgia ranks in the bottom five nationally. In 2010, the most recent year available, there were 1.8 million Georgians without health – about a 22 percent uninsured rate.
Patient advocates concerned with access to care say factors include a stubbornly high-unemployment rate and one of the stingiest Medicaid programs in the country.
“We spend as a state among the very lowest in the country per capita for our Medicaid program,” said Cindy Zeldin of Georgians for a Healthy Future.
Only Texas, Florida, Nevada, and New Mexico have a higher uninsured rate than Georgia. The state with the lowest rate is Massachusetts, which has a health insurance mandate.
Zeldin says Governor Deal should reconsider his opposition to the health reform law’s now-optional Medicaid expansion. It would extend coverage to more than 600,000 low-income Georgians.
“The expansion seems to be the best opportunity we have if we’re serious about covering the uninsured.”
Deal, however, says the expansion would be too costly for the state.
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