Latest news with #HouseBill127
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Let's separate Medicaid myth from fact
A pro-Medicaid message lights up the Capitol grounds, May 7, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Photo byfor Caring Across Generations) During my 14 years in the Kentucky House of Representatives, I was deeply involved in overseeing Kentucky's Medical Assistance Program better known as Medicaid. I co-chaired a committee that made an in-depth study of Medicaid that resulted in legislation that I sponsored to address waste, fraud and abuse. Recently, Medicaid and its recipients have been misrepresented, resulting in divisive and misleading rhetoric. It is crucial that we examine the facts carefully and address the misinformation stemming from recent news reporting and pending legislative actions. Medicaid funds do not go directly to recipients. Medicaid services prepay for medical care, such as doctor visits, procedures and medications to aid low-income families, children, parents, caregivers, pregnant women, seniors and people with disabilities. The proposal in Congress to cut Medicaid by $625 billion over 10 years, leaving an estimated 7.6 million people without health insurance by 2034, along with the impending work requirements, suggests a lack of sensitivity or understanding regarding the nature of this program and the demographics of Medicaid recipients in Kentucky and nationwide. Let's begin with a quick overview: Medicaid, established in 1965, is a public insurance program that provides health coverage to low-income families and individuals, including children, parents, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities. It is funded jointly by the federal government and the states. Funds allocated for Medicaid do not go directly to recipients but are used to pay health care providers on a fee-for-service basis or through prepayment arrangements for medical care. This includes doctor visits, medical procedures, medications and more. In Kentucky, the federal government pays about 70% and the state 30% of traditional Medicaid reimbursements while the match is 90% federal-10% state for expanded Medicaid, allowing Kentucky to provide 'significant health care services' at a good value. Now let's look at the myth surrounding work requirements for Medicaid care. As the chair of the 1993 Program Review and Investigations Committee and principal sponsor of House Bill 127, an act relating to waste, fraud and abuse, I have consistently kept up with the Kentucky Medicaid Program over the years. It appears a long-standing misconception has produced an effort to create a solution for a problem that does not exist. Full-time and part-time workers must rely on Medicaid and SNAP, a nutrition assistance program, because they do not earn a living wage to support their families. Maybe addressing this issue would help find a solution to the real, underlying problem we are currently facing. Between 2015 and 2017, over 60% of Kentucky Medicaid recipients consistently held full-time or part-time employment. According to 2023 data from the Kaiser Foundation, Kentucky currently ranks 10th in the nation for the number of 'working Medicaid recipients.' There are 56.4% with full-time employment and 14.6% with part-time employment. Subsequently, 70.7% of Medicaid recipients are currently working, while 29.3% are not employed. The non-working group comprises elderly individuals, people with disabilities, children and caregivers who together account for approximately 19.8%. These individuals do not meet any of the work requirements currently being proposed. Consequently, the legislative proposals being considered would only affect 9.5% of the remaining Medicaid population here in Kentucky — undoubtedly, a solution for a problem that does not exist. Work requirements put up barriers to Medicaid coverage. Changes to work and reporting requirements and eligibility criteria have been shown to cause confusion among Medicaid enrollees, leading to substantial coverage loss, even for those who are eligible. A 2022 Kaiser Family Foundation report revealed that nearly 70% of people who had been dropped from Medicaid lost coverage due to procedural reasons. This is just the latest evidence of the harmful impact on peoples' access to health care caused by recent changes in Medicaid policy. During the time studied, Kentucky disenrolled 71,000 enrollees for missed paperwork and other procedural reasons. Of these, 74% (52,540) lost coverage attributed to barriers created by the beginnings of a state Medicaid work requirement that a court blocked from taking full effect, while 26% were found ineligible. As a result, 52,540 individuals lost access to health care services. Clearly, any barriers affecting Kentucky's Medicaid recipients warrant reevaluation. Our diligent Medicaid recipients merit equitable treatment and consideration. However, Houston, we do have a problem: Kentucky reported that in 2022, half of working Medicaid enrollees (50%) were employed by companies with over 100 employees and 42.8% worked in the agriculture/service sector. These full-time and part-time workers must rely on Medicaid and SNAP, a nutrition assistance program, because they do not earn a living wage to support their families. Maybe addressing this issue would help find a solution to the real, underlying problem we are currently facing. The Congressional Budget Office's analysis shows that this 'one big, beautiful bill' will reduce expansion reimbursements, add additional cost to Medicaid recipients, add work requirements, increase coverage barriers, cut Medicaid spending by $625 billion over 10 years, and leave at least 7.6 million more people without health insurance by 2034. True leadership involves building bridges, not barriers. Jack L. Coleman, a Democrat from Harrodsburg, represented Kentucky's 55th House District from 1991 to 2005. As co-chair of the legislature's Program Review and Investigations Committee, he helped lead a study of Medicaid that included findings and recommendations concerning financial accountability, recovery and drug utilization. In 1996, he sponsored House Bill 127, an act related to Medicaid waste, fraud and abuse, based on the results of the study. The bill served as a companion to Senate Bill 37, sponsored by then-Sen. Susan Johns, co-chair of the program review committee. Coleman is the father of Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SINE DIE: What's going to the governor's desk and what still needs to be voted on
It's the final day of the Georgia legislative session and late Friday afternoon, the General Assembly finally approved a nearly $38 billion budget. That budget approval only came after the governor's office adjusted its tax revenue estimates up by more than $50 million. Coming up with a budget is the only thing the legislature is constitutionally obliged to do. Democrats voted for the budget though some worried that given what's happening with the economy, the increased tax revenue adjustment may come back to bite them. 'The macroeconomic picture has changed pretty dramatically in just over the last few days,' Atlanta Democrat Scott Holcomb said. The sweeping tariffs levied by President Donald Trump have caused havoc in global financial markets, dropping another 2,000 points Friday, fueling recession fears. Kemp signs religious freedom bill into law as lawmakers scramble to get bill passed Lawmakers pass state budget with just hours left in legislative season Bill to fund historic battlefield preservation in Georgia heads to governor's desk Georgia lawmakers agree on school safety bill after Apalachee High School shooting Hatchett acknowledged the turmoil but said lawmakers could always come back and make adjustments. 'This is our No. 1 job, and I don't think anybody in here, we could come back and correcting something that all of a sudden unforeseen by us we have to correct,' State Rep. Matt Hatchett said. Meanwhile, Gov. Brian Kemp signed the controversial religious liberty bill into law, insisting it was needed to protect people of faith from unwarranted government intrusion. 'I think it's a commonsense piece of legislation that mirrors what the vast majority of states in the United States have done,' Kemp said. But Duluth Democrat Ruwa Romman insists that without an underlying civil rights law, which Georgia doesn't have, the bill gives people a license to discriminate. 'Because at the end of the day, those who will bear the brunt of this are not those in the majority. It'll be us, people in the religious minority,' Romman said. Awaiting action Friday DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION: Georgia's public schools and colleges would be banned from having any programs or activities that advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion under House Bill 127. REGULATION RESTRICTION: Senate Bill 28 would give lawmakers more oversight over regulations created by state agencies. LIBRARY CRIMES: Librarians in public libraries, K-12 schools and colleges could face prosecution if they provide sexually explicit materials to minors under House Bill 483. IMMIGRATION: Senate Bill 21 would remove legal protections and let people sue governments and government officials who don't follow Georgia laws requiring cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. GUN TAX BREAKS: House Bill 79 would offer a four-day sales tax holiday on guns, ammunition and safety devices, while offering income tax credits of up to $300 for paying for gun safety courses. CLARENCE THOMAS STATUE: The state would put up a privately financed statue of U.S. Supreme Court Justice and Georgia native Clarence Thomas under House Bill 254. ELECTIONS: Georgia's secretary of state would be required to leave a bipartisan group that lets officials share data to keep voter rolls accurate under House Bill 397 and Senate Bill 175. PUBLIC RECORDS: Senate Bill 12 would exempt Georgia state legislators and police departments from some requirements to disclose public records. The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Associated Press
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Georgia lawmakers spurn DEI ban and consider sports betting at deadline
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia lawmakers still have many decisions ahead on Friday, the last day of their 2025 legislative session. They could agree to ban diversity efforts in public schools and colleges, change how automated speed enforcement cameras work in school zones, and grant a new $250 state income tax credit for parents of children age 5 and under. It's the last day for legislation to pass the General Assembly and go to Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature or veto. Some top proposals won final passage earlier, including Kemp's effort to limit lawsuits and a school safety bill that came as a response to last year's shooting at Apalachee High School. Lawmakers also already agreed to income tax cuts and rebates. Measures that don't pass Friday could be considered again next year because 2025 is the first year of a two-year session. Awaiting action Friday DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION: Georgia's public schools and colleges would be banned from having any programs or activities that advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion under House Bill 127. SPEED ZONE CAMERAS: Georgia would either ban automated speed enforcement cameras in school zones under House Bill 225 or further regulate them under House Bill 651. CHILD TAX CREDIT: Parents of children age 5 and under could claim a $250 state income tax credit under House Bill 136, which also expands the state income tax credit for child care expenses. REGULATION RESTRICTION: Senate Bill 28 would give lawmakers more oversight over regulations created by state agencies. LIBRARY CRIMES: Librarians in public libraries, K-12 schools and colleges could face prosecution if they provide sexually explicit materials to minors under House Bill 483. IMMIGRATION: Senate Bill 21 would remove legal protections and let people sue governments and government officials who don't follow Georgia laws requiring cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. GUN TAX BREAKS: House Bill 79 would offer a four-day sales tax holiday on guns, ammunition and safety devices, while offering income tax credits of up to $300 for paying for gun safety courses. CLARENCE THOMAS STATUE: The state would put up a privately financed statue of U.S. Supreme Court Justice and Georgia native Clarence Thomas under House Bill 254. ELECTIONS: Georgia's secretary of state would be required to leave a bipartisan group that lets officials share data to keep voter rolls accurate under House Bill 397 and Senate Bill 175. Senate Bill 12 would exempt Georgia state legislators and police departments from some requirements to disclose public records. Passed RELIGIOUS LIBERTY: State and local governments wouldn't be able to 'substantially burden' a person's religious freedom under Senate Bill 36, but opponents say it would enable discrimination. INCOME TAXES: An already-planned state income tax cut will be accelerated under House Bill 111, giving the state a flat 5.19% income tax rate retroactive to Jan. 1. And Georgians will get income tax rebates between $250 and $500 under House Bill 112. HURRICANE AID: House and Senate members agreed to spend more than $850 million on aid after Hurricane Helene did billions of dollars of damage in Georgia in September. LAWSUIT LIMITS: Senate Bill 68 would make it harder to bring lawsuits and win large verdicts while Senate Bill 69 limits who can finance lawsuits. SCHOOL CELLPHONES: Public school students in kindergarten through eighth grade would be banned from using cellphones during the school day under House Bill 340. TRANSGENDER RIGHTS: Both Senate Bill 1 would ban transgender girls and women from playing girls' and women's sports, while Senate Bill 185 would ban the state from paying for gender-affirming care for prisoners. AMERICA FIRST LICENSE PLACE: Senate Bill 291 would create an America First license plate for Georgia vehicles.
Washington Post
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
A Georgia bill to ban DEI in schools and colleges nears passage, even as potential effects stay hazy
ATLANTA — Georgia lawmakers could pass a bill banning a sweepingly broad range of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in Georgia's public schools, colleges and universities on the last day of their 2025 session. Republicans in Martin Luther King Jr's home state muscled House Bill 127 through the Senate early Thursday morning on a party-line 33-21 vote, meaning the House must vote only once on Friday to give final passage.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A Georgia bill to ban DEI in schools and colleges nears passage, even as potential effects stay hazy
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia lawmakers could pass a bill banning a sweepingly broad range of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in Georgia's public schools, colleges and universities on the last day of their 2025 session. Republicans in Martin Luther King Jr's home state muscled House Bill 127 through the Senate early Thursday morning on a party-line 33-21 vote, meaning the House must vote only once on Friday to give final passage. The measure has advanced even as Senate Republicans repeatedly shut down debate and testimony on what the proposed law would actually require. The move comes as President Donald Trump's administration escalates its efforts against DEI in K-12 schools, colleges, public agencies and private workplaces. For example, on Thursday, the administration gave states and K-12 schools 10 days to sign a certification that demands compliance with the administration's interpretation of federal civil rights laws and threatens loss of federal money or lawsuits for defrauding the federal government. What does Georgia's bill say? The measure would ban any policy or procedure 'designed or implemented with reference to race, color, sex, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity or sexual orientation.' Conservative groups have promoted the language, including the Goldwater Institute based in Arizona. It was passed into law in Iowa last year and similar wording has been introduced this year in at least nine states, according to an Associated Press analysis using the bill-tracking software Plural. As least 16 other states have passed laws, rules or budget language that bar or restrict DEI practices. The University System of Georgia eliminated use of DEI statements in hiring at its 26 universities and colleges in 2023. Georgia's measure also bans colleges and universities from promoting concepts including social justice and racial privilege as well as such ideas as intersectionality — the thought that people experience particular forms of discrimination when they have overlapping identities, such as being Black and a woman. The measure would withhold state and state-administered federal funding from any school district or college that disobeys, but doesn't outline a process for determining noncompliance. What do supporters and opponents say? Sen. Max Burns, a Sylvania Republican, said Thursday that DEI has run far off course and must be eliminated. 'Education in Georgia must now address a concept, which while perhaps fundamentally well-intentioned, is fundamentally discriminatory in the academic environment," Burns said. He argued the bill would guarantee equality of opportunity and that taxpayers are paying for discrimination. 'Every Georgian deserves an opportunity to achieve without being discriminated against," Burns said. Opponents say the bill would reverse gains Black people made in Georgia during the Civil Rights movement, and argue the state still needs to help students overcome historic discrimination. Chase Pettiford of Georgia Tech's NAACP chapter said at a February news conference that diversity programs help her feel welcomed at a school where only 8% of students are Black. Diversity programs don't pose 'some unfair advantage or ideology that arms other groups,' she said. 'We are watching our institutions that have made great strides in the last 50 years regress in front of our eyes and it is heartbreaking,' Pettiford said. What remains unknown about the measure? It's not clear how the bill would affect public schools and universities. Georgia, for example, operates three historically Black public universities — Albany State University, Fort Valley State University and Savannah State University. What GOP supporters have said hasn't been illuminating. Republicans have repeatedly suggested the measure would ban discrimination in university admissions, even though Georgia's university system has been banned from using racial preferences in admissions since losing a court case in 2000. It's also unclear whether schools could allow or fund student groups with racial or ethnic affiliations, like an Asian American student association or a historically Black sorority. Burns suggested that such groups could still be funded using student fees, but the bill doesn't say that explicitly. Also unclear is the fate of observances including Black history month. Would school librarians be prohibited from creating displays of women authors, or could a college pay for a banquet observing Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday? Finally, the measure could curtail teachers' freedom. Supporters have highlighted as one problem a graduate school certificate in DEI at the University of Georgia's college of education. That academic unit is named for Mary Frances Early, the first Black graduate of the once-segregated institution. Original sponsor Marty Harbin, a Republican senator from Tyrone, said last month that a constituent who attended Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville complained about being required to list preferred pronouns and about an English reading assignment. As a protest, one of 20 rejected Democratic amendments said: "Academic freedom in the state of Georgia is under greater threat than ever. Please help.' ___ Associated Press writer Charlotte Kramon contributed.
