Brian Kemp on Health Care

	Brian Kemp on Health Care

Covering over 200,000 more than Medicaid expansion would

The combined work of Georgia Access and Georgia Pathways is covering over 1.5 million people across our state. And I'm going to keep repeating this until I'm blue in the face, even though many on the other side or in the media don't want to hear it: we're covering well over 200,000 more Georgians than traditional Medicaid expansion would cover. And those Georgians are on better plans, that deliver better coverage, and lead to better healthcare outcomes for them and their families. Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Georgia legislature , Jan 16, 2025

Expand services for those struggling with mental illness

My budget calls for a total increase of $205 million for [Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities] and other entities that address mental health. This will enable DBHDD to expand services for those struggling with mental illness, it will increase the number of crisis beds throughout the state, and improve the quality of mental health services overall. We will be spending $1.6 billion on mental health - more than ever before. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Georgia legislature , Jan 11, 2024

State Pathways to Coverage rather than Medicaid expansion

When I first signed the bipartisan Patients First Act in 2019, no counties had more than two health insurance carriers. Today, 86% of Georgia counties have three or more carriers. And while others have called for expanding one-size-fits none, massive government health programs, thanks to our policies, enrollment in the individual market has more than doubled since 2019 to over 700,000 Georgians.

The Georgia Pathways to Coverage program was negotiated with the federal government so that we could expand access to health insurance for those who need it the most, while sustaining the quality of coverage. 345,000 Georgians could qualify for the Pathways program and healthcare coverage for the first time, with no changes for those who qualify for regular Medicaid. Unlike Medicaid expansion, Georgia Pathways will not kick 200,000 Georgians off their private sector insurance.

Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Georgia legislature , Jan 25, 2023

$4.5M in loan repayments to increase healthcare workers

Right now, there are 67 counties with less than 10 physicians. And Georgia's need for more nurses is well documented. That's why I'm proposing over $4.5 million in loan repayment programs to grow the number of healthcare workers in Georgia. I'm also calling for an additional 102 residency slots through an investment of $1.7 million. With these additions, we will exceed the initial goal number of this program. Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Georgia legislature , Jan 25, 2023

Sued over COVID vaccine mandate for health care workers

Georgia filed another lawsuit Tuesday over President Joe Biden's controversial COVID vaccine mandates, this time for health care workers. Gov. Brian Kemp and Attorney General Chris Carr are seeking to prevent the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) from enforcing the mandate on workers at Medicare and Medicaid-certified facilities. Source: GA Public Broadcasting (PBS News):2026 Georgia Governor race , Nov 16, 2021

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

Rural counties deserve a patient-centered healthcare system

While different parts of our state have unique challenges and concerns, all Georgians deserve a patient-centered healthcare system that puts families first. The status quo is unacceptable. Seventy-nine counties have no OB/GYN. Sixty-four counties have no pediatrician. Nine counties have no doctor. Insurers are leaving the state, and hardworking Georgians are struggling to pay their premiums. Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Georgia legislature , Jan 17, 2019

Don't expand the broken Medicaid system

We have included $1 million in the Department of Community Health's budget to craft state flexibility options for Georgia's Medicaid program. We will expand access without expanding a broken system that fails to deliver for patients. We will drive competition and improve quality while encouraging innovation. I will work with the legislature to grow the rural hospital tax credit, tackle the doctor shortage, and build a healthier Georgia. Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Georgia legislature , Jan 17, 2019

Require people to work to receive Medicaid

Healthcare: Support or Repeal ACA, aka ObamaCare? Accept ACA's Medicaid expansion to subsidize low-income participants?

Abrams: Supports ACA. Led efforts to expand Medicaid, which is "transformative for our state."

Kemp: Repeal ACA. "[It] is an absolute disaster & needs to be repealed immediately." Opposes Medicaid expansion.

Healthcare: Require people to work to receive Medicaid?

Abrams: No.

Kemp: Yes.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Georgia Governor race , Nov 1, 2018

Free market replacement for ObamaCare

ObamaCare is an absolute disaster and it needs to be repealed immediately. We need a free market replacement that puts Georgia patients--not government bureaucrats or special interests--first. Source: Facebook posting on 2018 Georgia Gubernatorial race , Aug 14, 2017

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