ATLANTA – April 4, 2025 – As Georgia lawmakers wrap up the 2025 legislative session Friday, patient advocacy organization leaders with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the American Heart Association (AHA), the American Lung Association and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) have released the following joint statement on the future of health care coverage legislation:
“For the first time, a bipartisan group of Georgia lawmakers proposed a bill to expand Medicaid this session. We look forward to continuing working with them to solve the health care coverage crisis in Georgia. More than 400,000 Georgians fall into the coverage gap, meaning they make too much money to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford private health insurance. Expanding Medicaid eligibility is the clear solution to solve this crisis while also promoting government efficiency and fiscal responsibility.
“Now, Georgians need lawmakers to adopt more urgency. The patients we represent can’t wait another few months or years for lawmakers to act. They need access to lifesaving screenings and treatments now. The longer lawmakers delay, the more lives are at stake.
“Our organizations know lawmakers care about Georgians and their challenges with access to health care, particularly in rural areas. We look forward to working with them to prioritize passage of Senate Bill 50 in 2026, a Georgia-specific solution to fully close the coverage gap, address the health care coverage crisis and help Georgians thrive.”