The Governor of Georgia and the Republican-led legislature have made Medicaid a priority, but their approach does not seem to serve the needs of the people of Georgia fairly. Republican lawmakers are proposing legislation that appears to be aimed at limiting the types of coverage Medicaid provides, creating stricter requirements for access, and reducing the number of people enrolled in Medicaid as much as possible.

Unfortunately, this means that an estimated 400,000 people who qualify for Medicaid will be left without healthcare. The Governor is only seeking to provide coverage to just 50,000 people based on their ability to meet certain work requirements.

The GOP’s efforts to limit Medicaid coverage are in direct opposition to the interests and well-being of Georgians, and it raises some questions. Why is the GOP unwilling to expand Medicaid and limit coverage to all who qualify? Why are they ignoring the majority of Georgians who view Medicaid favorably? Why are they willing to leave over a quarter of a million people without health insurance and deny expanded coverage even if it costs more than continued care?

The impact of Republican inaction will be felt for years to come, and it is clear that Georgians deserve quality healthcare. Over 2.3 million Georgians are enrolled in Medicaid, and 18% of the population is covered by it. The state also has the fifth-highest Medicaid enrollment in the country. Those elected officials who seek to downplay the value of Medicaid and create arbitrary barriers to coverage are not fulfilling their duties to serve the people.

The current efforts by the GOP suggest that they are engaging in dereliction of duty and could use a reminder of the oath they took. They must conduct themselves in a way that is most conducive to the interests and prosperity of the state, which includes providing access to quality affordable healthcare for all. Unfortunately, the Republican-controlled state government continues to advocate ways to reduce care for marginalized members of our population, including black and brown people, low-income earners, and the elderly.

The Republicans are failing to address the needs of the Georgians they were elected to serve. Their efforts contrast with the current trajectory of both the nation and Georgia, as the number of people without healthcare coverage dropped to a historic low in 2021. However, when the Medicaid unwinding begins in April, progress could be reversed. The Republican approach to healthcare needs to change to provide Georgians with the healthcare they need and deserve.