Reconciliation Bill Delivers Blow to Healthcare System and State Economies

Georgia First Urges State Leaders to Minimize Harm, Protect Georgians and State Economy

July 4, 2025

Natalie Crawford, Founder & Executive Director of Georgia First and chair of the BRIDGE Georgia healthcare coalition, released the following statement today: 

“Today, President Trump signed the budget reconciliation bill into law, delivering the largest cuts to the Medicaid program in history. Georgia First is grateful for the preservation of some existing programs that support our healthcare providers such as the hospital provider tax and state directed payment programs. However, the unfortunate reality is that millions of Americans will lose healthcare coverage as a result of this legislation. And Georgia is not exempt. 

The cascading effects of more uninsured Georgians will hurt our state economy, rural hospitals, and the communities that rely on them. Evidence shows that people who have access to healthcare coverage are more likely to access preventive health services, which are essential for maintaining a strong and healthy workforce that stands up our economy.  

We also know that too many of Georgia’s rural hospitals, which are essential to the economy and health of their communities, are already in danger of closing or reducing services. These cornerstones of our rural communities, providing necessary care and jobs, may be pushed over the edge as a result of this legislation passing.

Medicaid isn’t just a cost; it’s an investment in health, workforce readiness, and economic stability. It’s unfortunate to see federal policymakers expand a Medicaid work reporting requirements model that we’ve tested in Georgia and has proven costly to taxpayers and is doing little to improve Georgia’s high uninsured rate. Sadly, other states may suffer from the low enrollment numbers and high administrative expenses and burdens that we have seen in Georgia.

Further, we are disappointed that congressional Republicans are taking a short-sighted approach to fiscal savings by cutting Americans’ access to health coverage, when we know that access to affordable coverage actually means a stronger workforce and economy. 

Moving forward, we urge our state leaders to acknowledge the indisputable importance of ensuring Georgians do not lose access to critical insurance coverage, and work diligently to minimize disruptions to Georgians’ healthcare coverage using all options available to them, including expanding the state’s Medicaid program to 138% of the federal poverty level, as these federal changes are being implemented at the state level.”