Release: Georgia Federal Health Care Exchange Enrollment Surge Among Highest in Nation

Georgia Federal Health Care Exchange Enrollment Surge Among Highest in Nation

Chairman DuBose Porter says report is reality check that highlights urgent need for affordable health care in Georgia

Atlanta, GA – On the heels of a new report showing that Georgia had one the largest enrollment surges during the final weeks of open enrollment in the nation, Democratic Party of Georgia Chair DuBose Porter released the following statement in response.

“How much more evidence does Nathan Deal and the Georgia Republican Party need for them to admit there is an urgent need to expand access to affordable health care in our state,” said Chairman Porter. “This is a reality check—wake up. More than 316,000 Georgians have enrolled in the federal exchange, 177,000 at the very end.”

“Imagine how many Georgians could have peace of mind, imagine how many lives could be saved, imagine the financial security given to hospitals—especially rural hospitals—if our governor would buck up and expand Medicaid. Instead, Republicans in the state legislature enabled him to cower behind the political cover of his party. It’s gutless and it’s heartless.”

Georgia is one of 24 states that have refused to expand Medicaid. Days ago, Nathan Deal signed into law HB 990, legislation that removed the power to expand Medicaid from the governor’s office and placed it in the hands of the state legislature.

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BACKGROUND

HHS Enrollment Report

HHS 5/1/2014 – Enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace totals over 8 million people

HHS 5/1/2014 – Georgia Specific Data

AJC 5/2/2014 – Ga. sign-up surge among tops in U.S.