Georgia Governor Supports Medicaid Work Requirement
- Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is standing firm on his Medicaid program with a work requirement.
- Georgia has the only Medicaid program in the nation that includes a work requirement.
- Despite a slow start, Gov. Kemp is doubling down on his signature program.
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Governor Brian Kemp reaffirmed his commitment to the state's unique Medicaid program, Georgia Pathways, which is the only one in the nation that mandates work requirements for recipients. Launched in July 2023, the program requires participants to demonstrate at least 80 hours of work, volunteer activities, or education each month to qualify for benefits. Despite its introduction, enrollment has been slow, with only a small fraction of eligible residents signing up. During a press event, the governor showcased a testimonial from Luke Seaborn, a Pathways recipient who credited the program with helping him afford necessary medical treatment. Kemp emphasized the challenges of being the first state to implement such a program, attributing the slow start to federal obstacles posed by the Biden administration, which initially objected to the work requirement and delayed the program's launch. Critics argue that Georgia could extend health coverage to approximately 500,000 low-income individuals if it opted for a full Medicaid expansion without work mandates, similar to what 40 other states have done. Currently, Pathways limits eligibility to those earning up to 100% of the federal poverty level. In response to the criticism, Kemp highlighted improvements in the state's health care marketplace, which have reportedly enabled many former Medicaid recipients to access coverage through the Affordable Care Act. While acknowledging the challenges, Kemp did not mention the significant increase in health insurance subsidies under the ACA, a change implemented by the Biden administration that has benefited many Georgians.