When it comes to expanding access to health care, gubernatorial candidates Stacey Abrams and Brian Kemp could not be further apart. Although moves on the federal level last year dampened the outlook for both the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion, closing the coverage gap in Georgia would mean an additional 473,000 Georgians would have… [Read More]
Kemp slams immigration on bus tour
As part of his gubernatorial campaign’s bus tour, Sec. of State Brian Kemp gave a talk inside of what was once a jail cell advocating a crackdown on immigration. As has become typical of the Republican rhetoric on immigration, his speech was full of hateful, confusing half-truths. The crux of his talk was about how… [Read More]
Invest in rural Georgia
Rural Georgia is home to about half the state’s population and a favorite talking point of politicians. But infrastructure issues continue to be one of the most pressing problems rural areas face, and both state and federal leaders need to prove they are committed to doing more than just talking about our rural communities. The… [Read More]
Trump’s health care cuts will kill Georgians
President Donald Trump wants to convert Medicaid into a block grant system, which means massive cuts in Medicaid and deadly effects for Georgians. This new program would take Medicaid administration from the federal government and give it the states. Research on past programs just like this one show us the deadly effects that result. The Center… [Read More]
Georgia’s sixth rural hospital closure on Gov. Deal’s watch
North Georgia Medical Center in Ellijay, Ga. has shut its doors, making it the sixth rural hospital to close since Gov. Deal took office and the fifth closure since 2013. The plan is to reopen emergency room-only services in November, but even that depends upon the lease agreement being approved by the Georgia Dept. of… [Read More]
Medicaid expansion a must for Georgia’s hospitals and families
Rural hospital closures continue to decimate local communities in Georgia. Gov. Nathan Deal, House Speaker David Ralston and House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams, among other policymakers, have all publicly addressed the issue. In other words: Everyone knows it’s a problem. But partisan politics once again gets in the way of implementing a common-sense solution. Gov. Deal… [Read More]
Gov. Nathan Deal’s legacy will be impossible to ignore
Last week, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution opined that “Nathan Deal’s ‘religious liberty’ veto could define his legacy.” There are no two ways about it: Gov. Deal is on the right side of this important issue. Even Better Georgia — arguably, Deal’s toughest critic — applauded the governor’s resolve in standing up to right-wing extremists who want… [Read More]
‘Critical state for our rural hospitals’
Georgia’s rural hospitals continue to be in crisis as Gov. Nathan Deal refuses to bring home federal dollars to close the Medicaid gap. House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams (D-Atlanta) spoke at length with WABE reporter Denis O’Hayer about the rural hospital crisis and options available this session.
Unfinished business
As lawmakers gather in Atlanta today to start a new Legislative session there are at least two issues from last year still hanging over the Gold Dome like a dark cloud: Georgia’s hospital crisis Religious discrimination legislation Before Georgia’s lawmakers went home last year, four rural hospitals stopped services and slammed their doors shut for… [Read More]
Nathan Deal’s failures and scandals
GOV. DEAL’S SCANDALS Gov. Deal is up to his eyes in scandals as he asks for your vote. Here are just a few: Gainesville Salvage – When Nathan Deal was in Congress, the Congressional Ethics committee launched an investigation into his shady business practices. Congress determined that Deal had improperly used the power of his… [Read More]