Georgia: Introduction of new bipartisan legislation to help provide low cost insurance options

State Senators Don Thomas (R-Dalton) and Ed Harbison (D-Columbus) have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at helping more than 2,000 Georgia residents gain access to health insurance for their dialysis care. Obtaining health insurance for preexisting conditions such as Diabetes is almost impossible. The new legislation (if enacted) will provide approximately $20 million over 5 years for Georgia's Medicaid system. The legislation also seeks to help people under the age of 65 and has Medicare as a result of a disability.

While Medicare covers most medical costs, it requires patients to pay deductibles and co-pays, which can be covered through Medigap. Unfortunately most people can't afford the secondary insurance (Medigap insurance) but cannot afford the deductibles and co-pays either. This new legislation will ensure these 2,000 Georgia residents will have access to quality health care.

Georgia's Kidney Care Community Praises Introduction Of Legislation To Improve Patient Access To Quality Kidney Dialysis And Transplant Care

"Access to quality dialysis and transplant care is absolutely critical to the more than 14,000 chronic kidney disease patients across the state of Georgia," said Marlin R. Gottschalk, vice-president and legislative coordinator for the Georgia Association of Kidney Patients, a patient advocacy and support group. "Kidney disease knows no boundaries in terms of age, race or economic condition, so we must work together to ensure that policies are put in place that allow all patients, of every age, to access the coverage they need to receive quality medical care."

For individuals looking for options to purchase affordable health insurance, this new legislation may provide the answer they've been looking for. We wait with interest to see the outcome.