Atlanta News First reports Georgia is seeking a higher federal funding match for Pathways to Coverage, a dispute that could continue into the next governor’s term.
Georgia’s federal funding request
Atlanta News First reports that Georgia is asking the federal government to pay a larger share of the cost of Pathways to Coverage, the state’s alternative to Medicaid expansion. The request could leave the next governor facing a major funding dispute if federal officials do not approve it, according to Atlanta News First.
The Georgia Department of Community Health describes Pathways to Coverage as providing health care benefits to residents who are not otherwise eligible for traditional Medicaid, Atlanta News First reports. The program currently covers just over 18,527 people, according to GeorgiaPathways.org data cited by the outlet.
The requested funding change
Atlanta News First reports that the federal government is required by law to provide a matching percentage for programs such as Pathways. Georgia’s current federal match is 67%, according to the state’s Department of Community Health waiver request cited by Atlanta News First.
Georgia is seeking to raise that federal match to 90%, Atlanta News First reports. If the request is denied, the state could be required to contribute more of its own funding toward the program, according to the outlet.
The report says the issue is expected to extend into next year, when Georgia’s next governor takes office. The source does not state when federal officials will decide on the request.
Previous requests and coverage gap
Georgia previously requested a 90% federal match in 2019 and was denied, according to Georgians for a Healthy Future, as cited by Atlanta News First. The outlet also reports that Wisconsin and Utah made similar requests and were denied.
About 240,000 low-income Georgians have no health coverage, according to the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute data cited by Atlanta News First. The report says Georgia ranks third worst in the nation for lack of coverage.
What this means for Georgia patients
This is a funding request, not an enacted policy change. Atlanta News First reports that the federal decision could affect how Georgia finances Pathways to Coverage and could remain unresolved into the next governor’s term. For people seeking treatment locally, the directory lists 255 published clinics in Georgia.
This is general information, not medical advice.
More Georgia reporting on policy & funding.
This report is educational and is not medical advice. Coverage, availability and eligibility can change; verify details with the named source or your care team.