Atlanta City backs healthcare reform

While the national debate on expanding health insurance coverage rages, Atlanta City Council has waded into the debate with a ringing endorsement of the Obama reforms.

The Atlanta City Council resolution calls for "comprehensive, quality, affordable health care legislation for all Americans." 

This is thought to be in response to a report in the Atlanta Business Chronicle citing a plan by a group of Georgia State Republicans to force an amendment to Georgia's constitution that would see Georgia opt out of federal health insurance reform, subject to a 2010 referendum.

The Atlanta City Council resolution was sponsored by a number of council members, and cites rising health insurance costs,  the increase in Georgians with no health insurance coverage and the diminishing number of health insurance providers (and hence lack of genuine competition).

A study by the AMA, 2007 reveals that 2 health insurance providers - Wellpoint and United - write 70% of the health insurance business in GA. Wellpoint alone has 61% of the Georgia health insurance market.