This op-ed by Natalie Crawford, Executive Director of Georgia First and BRIDGE Georgia, was originally published by James Magazine Online on February 24, 2024.
Nearly 1.4 million Georgians lack health insurance, and less than half of private-sector establishments in Georgia offer it as a benefit. This leaves many hardworking people – farmers, food service workers, cashiers, construction workers, and gig workers – in the coverage gap. They earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but can’t afford private health insurance on their own. Also stuck in the gap are 21,000 veterans, who bravely served our nation.
My organization, Georgia First, is fighting for the half a million Georgians who would benefit from expanding access to health insurance and closing the coverage gap. Our coalition unites 20 partners, from the American Cancer Society to A New Veteran to Grady Health System–each are acutely aware of the adverse consequences for uninsured Georgians and the wider impact on our state. We are all inspired to urgently close the coverage gap because we know it is the sensible path forward for our state’s economy and the health of our fellow residents.
And Georgians agree. Our recent poll found that 76% of Georgians support closing the coverage gap. This includes my fellow conservatives: 59% of Republican voters say health care is unaffordable and 60 percent are in favor of closing the coverage gap with premium assistance. Why is support so strong among Republicans? Many of us have seen firsthand how the coverage gap affects the people, communities, and businesses that we care about.
As a lifelong Republican and former two-term Habersham County Commissioner, I fought tooth and nail to save our local hospital. Growing up, Habersham Medical Center was my family’s literal bread and butter; both my parents are nurses and worked there. But, during my years on the County Commission, I became keenly aware of how the health coverage gap in our state disproportionately affects rural areas, including my hometown. Our hospital had too many uninsured patients who couldn’t pay their bills, so the county government had to subsidize the hospital to save it from financial ruin. Ultimately, the burden of uncompensated care fell on the backs of my constituents.
As a committed conservative, I value fiscal responsibility. Beyond helping hardworking Georgians across our state, closing the coverage gap and expanding health insurance access make economic sense. If Georgia closes the coverage gap, studies show the economy would significantly benefit. It lets us keep $6 billion of our federal tax dollars right here in Georgia rather than sending it to other states. Washington would pay 90% of the cost of closing the coverage gap plus provide Georgia with $550 million in additional unrestricted funding. And, expanding access to healthcare has been shown to lead to state savings from child welfare to law enforcement. It could also help to protect the dozens of rural Georgia hospitals that are in danger of closing or dramatically reducing services.
It’s time to bring that money back home to benefit Georgia workers and our state’s economy. We can close the coverage gap through a free-market-based approach, so Georgians can decide what works best for Georgia’s health system. This innovative approach will position us to be a national leader in healthcare, just as we have been in business.
Advancing access to affordable healthcare is a cause that Georgians care about, and that we all can play a role in supporting and calling on our state legislature to move forward for serious discussion. The time is now for our lawmakers to work together to close the coverage gap – and to do so in a uniquely Georgia way.
Natalie Crawford is a Republican, former two-term Habersham County Commissioner and executive director of Georgia First, a nonprofit organization committed to preserving and growing the strength and wellbeing of our state, her people, and our collective future.
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