Certain government programs are in place to help a percentage of Georgia citizens who are unable to work for one-reason-or-another. These programs are always tight on funding. However, good news for Georgia Medicaid recipients can down through the Georgia state branch of legislation recently. Medicaid is to receive approximately a $900 million dollar boost in funding.
The funding is the result of a bill signed by Georgia’s governor and worked on by both political parties. This bill, Senate Bill 70, has been in the works for several years and has finally been agreed upon. The bill sets to collect the revenue by ways of hospital fees that will bill hospital providers for an additional three year. This is good news for those with a level of physical or mental disability that renders them a portion of Medicaid, along with other SSI.
There is some worry, on behalf of both political parties, that a change in federal regulation concerning the Affordable Care Act may affect the outcome of the Bill 70. However, this isn’t certain or something that can even really be known at this point. Senator Butch Miller expressed his relief about quick action concerning Medicaid, “we will not have to take away resources from other portions of the budget.” This is good news all-around for those who receive funds for a variety of disabilities and inabilities to work.
In order to receive Medicaid, or other SSI, one may be required to disclose income and expenses, among other requirements. Oftentimes, funding from these government programs is a life-line for those that receive it. Without it, they may not have much, if any, income to live on. These programs are indispensable for those that rely on their benefits.
Source: myajc.com, “Georgia governor signs hospital provider fee to fill Medicaid gap,” Greg Bluestein, February 13, 2017
