GA legislative records: on Health Care


Brian Kemp: Supported limited instead of full expansion of Medicaid

Legislative Summary: SB 106: A BILL to authorize the Department of Community Health to submit a waiver request to the United States Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Analysis by Georgia Public Broadcasting: The Patients First Act requests a Medicaid waiver from the federal government. Both proponents and opponents of the move are making it clear a waiver isn't the same as full Medicaid expansion, which is what then- President Obama envisioned for states when crafting the Affordable Care Act. Democrats say a waiver doesn't go far enough while some conservatives say even a partial expansion is too costly.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 32-20-4, Vote #65 on Feb/26/19; Passed House 104-67-9, Vote #288 on Mar/25/19; Signed by Governor Brian Kemp on Mar/27/19

Source: GBP.org on Georgia legislative voting record SB 106 Mar 27, 2019

Ed Tarver: Oppose tax breaks for high deductible insurance

SB383: A BILL to provide for the Commissioner of Insurance to adopt policies to promote, approve, and encourage health savings account eligible high deductible plans in Georgia; to provide for exemptions from certain unfair trade practices for certain wellness and health promotion programs, condition or disease management programs, health risk appraisal programs, and similar provisions in such plans.

Summary by the CBPP:Georgia created new tax breaks for high-deductible health plans. Almost 1.7 million Georgians--20%t of all residents under age 65--are uninsured. Almost 2/3 of them have incomes below 200% of the poverty line. Georgia's plan does not attempt to help these low-income individuals obtain insurance. Instead the plan's main target is uninsured people with incomes over $50,000.

Legislative outcome:Passed Senate 36-12-8, Vote #623 on Feb/26/08; Sen. Ed Tarver voted NO; Passed House 148-2-30, Vote #1070 on Apr/04/08; Signed by Gov. Perdue, May/7/08.

Source: CBPP on Georgia legislative voting records: SB383 Feb 26, 2008

Hunter Hill: Prohibit healthcare plans from covering abortion

Legislative Summary: A BILL relating to insurance, to provide opt out of funding abortions through qualified health plans: No abortion coverage shall be provided by a qualified health plan offered within the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act [ObamaCare], except in the case of medical emergency.

OnTheIssues Interpretation: ObamaCare requires that healthcare plans fund abortions; this state law would remove that stipulation from Georgia insurance plans offered under ObamaCare.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 37-18-1 on March 18, vote #676, Sen. Hunter Hill voted YES; passed House 105-64-7 on March 18, vote #795; signed by Gov. Deal April 21

Source: Georgia legislative voting records: SB 98 Mar 18, 2014

Jason Carter: Let ObamaCare plans cover abortion

Legislative Summary: A BILL relating to insurance, to provide opt out of funding abortions through qualified health plans: No abortion coverage shall be provided by a qualified health plan offered within the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act [ObamaCare], except in the case of medical emergency.

OnTheIssues Interpretation: ObamaCare requires that healthcare plans fund abortions; this state law would remove that stipulation from Georgia insurance plans offered under ObamaCare. Voting NO means abortion coverage would be required in healthcare plans.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 37-18-1 on March 18, vote #676; passed House 105-64-7 on March 18, vote #795; Sen. Jason Carter voted NO; signed by Gov. Deal April 21

Source: Georgia legislative voting records: SB 98 Mar 18, 2014

Nathan Deal: Prohibit healthcare plans from covering abortion

Legislative Summary: A BILL relating to insurance, to provide opt out of funding abortions through qualified health plans: No abortion coverage shall be provided by a qualified health plan offered within the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act [ObamaCare], except in the case of medical emergency.

OnTheIssues Interpretation: ObamaCare requires that healthcare plans fund abortions; this state law would remove that stipulation from Georgia insurance plans offered under ObamaCare.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 37-18-1 on March 18, vote #676; passed House 105-64-7 on March 18, vote #795; signed by Gov. Deal April 21

Source: Georgia legislative voting records: SB 98 Apr 29, 2014

Nikema Williams: Opposed limited instead of full expansion of Medicaid

Legislative Summary: SB 106: A BILL to authorize the Department of Community Health to submit a waiver request to the United States Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Analysis by Georgia Public Broadcasting: The Patients First Act requests a Medicaid waiver from the federal government. Both proponents and opponents of the move are making it clear a waiver isn't the same as full Medicaid expansion, which is what then- President Obama envisioned for states when crafting the Affordable Care Act. Democrats say a waiver doesn't go far enough while some conservatives say even a partial expansion is too costly.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 32-20-4, Vote #65 on Feb/26/19; State Sen. Nikema Williams voted NO; Passed House 104-67-9, Vote #288 on Mar/25/19; Signed by Governor Brian Kemp on Mar/27/19

Source: GBP.org on Georgia legislative voting record SB 106 Feb 26, 2019

Renee Unterman: Require proof of physical impairment in asbestos lawsuits

SB182: A BILL to change provisions relating to asbestos claims and silica claims; to provide that physical impairment shall be an essential element of an asbestos claim or a silica claim; to provide for a limitations period for filing a claim.

Summary by the Mesothelioma Center: Georgia enacted a revised version of the Asbestos and Silica Litigation Reform law on May 1, 2007. Plaintiffs with asbestos-related cancers must provide evidence of physical impairment. Georgia also attempts to limit the use of information obtained from mass asbestos screenings sponsored by personal injury lawyers.

Legislative outcome: [Voting YES establishes stricter rules to file lawsuit for asbestos damage. Voting NO keeps the existing rules, allowing asbestos lawsuits before physical impairment is proven]. Passed House 156-1-23, Vote #321 on Apr/17/07; passed Senate 36-3-17, Vote #444 on Apr/20/07; Unterman co-sponsored bill and voted YES; Signed by Gov. Perdue, Apr/30/07.

Source: Asbestos.com on Georgia legislative voting records: SB182 Apr 20, 2007

Renee Unterman: Tax breaks for high deductible insurance; no aid for insured

SB383: A BILL to provide for the Commissioner of Insurance to adopt policies to promote, approve, and encourage health savings account eligible high deductible plans in Georgia; to provide for exemptions from certain unfair trade practices for certain wellness and health promotion programs, condition or disease management programs, health risk appraisal programs, and similar provisions in such plans.

Summary by the CBPP:Georgia created new tax breaks for high-deductible health plans. Almost 1.7 million Georgians--20%t of all residents under age 65--are uninsured. Almost 2/3 of them have incomes below 200% of the poverty line. Georgia's plan does not attempt to help these low-income individuals obtain insurance. Instead the plan's main target is uninsured people with incomes over $50,000.

Legislative outcome:Passed Senate 36-12-8, Sen. Unterman voted YES; Vote #623 on Feb/26/08; Passed House 148-2-30, Vote #1070 on Apr/04/08; Signed by Gov. Perdue, May/7/08.

Source: CBPP on Georgia legislative voting records: SB383 Feb 26, 2008

Renee Unterman: Supported limited instead of full expansion of Medicaid

Legislative Summary: SB 106: A BILL to authorize the Department of Community Health to submit a waiver request to the United States Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Analysis by Georgia Public Broadcasting: The Patients First Act requests a Medicaid waiver from the federal government. Both proponents and opponents of the move are making it clear a waiver isn't the same as full Medicaid expansion, which is what then- President Obama envisioned for states when crafting the Affordable Care Act. Democrats say a waiver doesn't go far enough while some conservatives say even a partial expansion is too costly.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 32-20-4, Vote #65 on Feb/26/19; State Sen. Renee Unterman voted YES; Passed House 104-67-9, Vote #288 on Mar/25/19; Signed by Governor Brian Kemp on Mar/27/19

Source: GBP.org on Georgia legislative voting record SB 106 Feb 26, 2019

Sonny Perdue: Require proof of physical impairment in asbestos lawsuits

SB182: A BILL to change provisions relating to asbestos claims and silica claims; to provide that physical impairment shall be an essential element of an asbestos claim or a silica claim; to provide for a limitations period for filing a claim.

Summary by the Mesothelioma Center: Georgia enacted a revised version of the Asbestos and Silica Litigation Reform law on May 1, 2007. Plaintiffs with asbestos-related cancers must provide evidence of physical impairment. Georgia also attempts to limit the use of information obtained from mass asbestos screenings sponsored by personal injury lawyers to satisfy medical criteria.

Legislative outcome: [Voting YES establishes stricter rules to file lawsuit for asbestos damage. Voting NO would keep the existing rules, allowing suing for asbestos before physical impairment is proven]. Passed House 156-1-23, Vote #321 on Apr/17/07; passed Senate 36-3-17, Vote #444 on Apr/20/07; Signed by Governor Sonny Perdue, Apr/30/07.

Source: Asbestos.com on Georgia legislative voting records: SB182 Apr 30, 2007

Sonny Perdue: Tax breaks for high deductible insurance; no aid for insured

SB383: A BILL to provide for the Commissioner of Insurance to adopt policies to promote, approve, and encourage health savings account eligible high deductible plans in Georgia; to provide for exemptions from certain unfair trade practices for certain wellness and health promotion programs, condition or disease management programs, health risk appraisal programs, and similar provisions in such plans.

Summary by the CBPP:Georgia created new tax breaks for high-deductible health plans. Almost 1.7 million Georgians--20%t of all residents under age 65--are uninsured. Almost 2/3 of them have incomes below 200% of the poverty line. Georgia's plan does not attempt to help these low-income individuals obtain insurance. Instead the plan's main target is uninsured people with incomes over $50,000.

Legislative outcome:Passed Senate 36-12-8, Vote #623 on Feb/26/08; Passed House 148-2-30, Vote #1070 on Apr/04/08; Signed by Gov. Perdue, May/7/08.

Source: CBPP on Georgia legislative voting records: SB383 May 7, 2008

Stacey Abrams: Let ObamaCare plans cover abortion

Legislative Summary: A BILL relating to insurance, to provide opt out of funding abortions through qualified health plans: No abortion coverage shall be provided by a qualified health plan offered within the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act [ObamaCare], except in the case of medical emergency.

OnTheIssues Interpretation: ObamaCare requires that healthcare plans fund abortions; this state law would remove that stipulation from Georgia insurance plans offered under ObamaCare. Voting NO means abortion coverage would be required in healthcare plans.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 37-18-1 on March 18, vote #676; passed House 105-64-7 on March 18, vote #795; Rep. Stacey Abrams voted NO; signed by Gov. Deal April 21

Source: Georgia legislative voting records: SB 98 Mar 18, 2014

Stacey Abrams: Allow asbestos lawsuits before physical impairment occurs

SB182: A BILL to change provisions relating to asbestos claims and silica claims; to provide that physical impairment shall be an essential element of an asbestos claim or a silica claim; to provide for a limitations period for filing a claim.

Summary by the Mesothelioma Center: Georgia enacted a revised version of the Asbestos and Silica Litigation Reform law on May 1, 2007. Plaintiffs with asbestos-related cancers must provide evidence of physical impairment. Georgia also attempts to limit the use of information obtained from mass asbestos screenings sponsored by personal injury lawyers.

Legislative outcome: [Voting YES establishes stricter rules to file lawsuit for asbestos damage. Voting NO keeps the existing rules, allowing asbestos lawsuits before physical impairment is proven]. Passed House 156-1-23, Vote #321 on Apr/17/07; Rep. Abrams voted NO; passed Senate 36-3-17, Vote #444 on Apr/20/07; Signed by Gov. Perdue, Apr/30/07.

Source: Asbestos.com on Georgia legislative voting records: SB182 Apr 17, 2007

Stacey Abrams: Tax breaks for high deductible insurance; no aid for insured

SB383: A BILL to provide for the Commissioner of Insurance to adopt policies to promote, approve, and encourage health savings account eligible high deductible plans in Georgia; to provide for exemptions from certain unfair trade practices for certain wellness and health promotion programs, condition or disease management programs, health risk appraisal programs, and similar provisions in such plans.

Summary by the CBPP:Georgia created new tax breaks for high-deductible health plans. Almost 1.7 million Georgians--20%t of all residents under age 65--are uninsured. Almost 2/3 of them have incomes below 200% of the poverty line. Georgia's plan does not attempt to help these low-income individuals obtain insurance. Instead the plan's main target is uninsured people with incomes over $50,000.

Legislative outcome:Passed Senate 36-12-8, Vote #623 on Feb/26/08; Passed House 148-2-30, Vote #1070 on Apr/04/08; Rep. Abrams voted YES; Signed by Gov. Perdue, May/7/08.

Source: CBPP on Georgia legislative voting records: SB383 Apr 4, 2008

Valencia Stovall: Let ObamaCare plans cover abortion

Legislative Summary: A BILL relating to insurance, to provide opt out of funding abortions through qualified health plans: No abortion coverage shall be provided by a qualified health plan offered within the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act [ObamaCare], except in the case of medical emergency.

OnTheIssues Interpretation: ObamaCare requires that healthcare plans fund abortions; this state law would remove that stipulation from Georgia insurance plans offered under ObamaCare. Voting NO means abortion coverage would be required in healthcare plans.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 37-18-1 on March 18, vote #676; passed House 105-64-7 on March 18, vote #795; Rep. Stovall voted NO; signed by Gov. Deal April 21

Source: Georgia legislative voting records: SB 98 Mar 18, 2014

Vernon Jones: Supported limited instead of full expansion of Medicaid

Legislative Summary:: SB 106: A BILL to authorize the Department of Community Health to submit a waiver request to the United States Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Analysis by Georgia Public Broadcasting:The Patients First Act requests a Medicaid waiver from the federal government. Both proponents and opponents of the move are making it clear a waiver isn't the same as full Medicaid expansion, which is what then- President Obama envisioned for states when crafting the Affordable Care Act. Democrats say a waiver doesn't go far enough while some conservatives say even a partial expansion is too costly.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 32-20-4, Vote #65 on Feb/26/19; Passed House 104-67-9, Vote #288 on Mar/25/19; State Rep. Vernon Jones voted YES; Signed by Governor Brian Kemp on Mar/27/19

Source: GBP.org on Georgia legislative voting record SB 106 Mar 25, 2019

  • The above quotations are from Legislative voting records for Georgia House and Senate.
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Candidates and political leaders on Health Care:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R)
Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R)
Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Feb 13, 2023