Georgia House Bill HB428

Georgia 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/15/23

Caption

Community Health, Department of; 12 months of continuous eligibility for Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids Program; provide

Impact

If enacted, HB 428 would significantly alter the way Medicaid and related programs operate in Georgia, particularly by streamlining the eligibility process for children. This would require the Department of Community Health to submit a Medicaid state plan amendment or waiver request to the federal government by January 1, 2024, to implement these changes. The bill aims to enhance healthcare stability for families, potentially reducing administrative burdens associated with frequent re-evaluations of eligibility and providing peace of mind to families regarding their children's health coverage.

Summary

House Bill 428 addresses the issue of children's access to healthcare by mandating that the Georgia Department of Community Health provide 12 months of continuous eligibility for Medicaid and the PeachCare for Kids Program for children aged from birth through 18 years. The intent of the bill is to ensure that children maintain uninterrupted access to healthcare services, which is critical for their growth and development. This continuous eligibility is a crucial shift to prevent gaps in healthcare coverage that often occur due to fluctuations in family income or other circumstances that may affect eligibility.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support for its intention to improve children's health care access, there may be concerns regarding the implications of continuous eligibility for program funding and resource allocation. Some stakeholders may argue that extended eligibility could strain state resources, while others believe that the health benefits for children at risk of losing coverage outweigh these concerns. As the bill progresses, lawmakers will need to address and balance these potential issues to ensure that the program remains sustainable, equitable, and effective.