A proposed bill targeting a critical element of Obamacare took a big step forward Monday.
Lawmakers voted 118 to 57 to approve House Bill 990, which would strip Gov. Nathan Deal of the power to expand the state’s massive Medicaid program as called for by the Affordable Care Act. Instead, the proposed legislation would put that decision in the hands of the General Assembly.
Expanding the government health program for the poor would have major implications for the state’s budget and economy and needs to be carefully debated, said Rep. Jan Jones, R-Milton, who sponsored the bill.
“Gov. Deal wisely rejected Medicaid expansion,” Jones said. “Georgia cannot afford to expand Medicaid on many levels but cost is the most obvious.”
Broadening Medicaid would cost Georgia about $2.8 billion, Jones said. Expansion supporters have estimated the true cost would be lower.
Expansion would cost Georgia $350 million over 10 years, once new sales tax and other revenues fueled by the expansion are factored in, according to Tim Sweeney, a health policy expert with the left-leaning Georgia Budget & Policy Institute.
Deal has steadfastly rejected the expansion, saying the state can’t afford to broaden a program that already costs too much. Expansion would extend health coverage to an estimated 650,000 low-income Georgians.
HB 990 now goes to the Senate.
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