Georgia Senate Approves Bill That Would Expand Medicaid Eligibility, Split PeachCare Into Two Programs

The Georgia Senate on Tuesday voted 32-21 to approve legislation that would restructure PeachCare, the state's SCHIP, the Savannah Morning News reports. The Senate version of the legislation would allow children in families with annual incomes up to 125% of the federal poverty level to enroll in Medicaid. Currently, families must have incomes at or below the poverty level to qualify for the program. PeachCare would be split into two programs, with children of families with annual incomes up to 200% of the poverty level in one program and those with incomes up to 250% of the poverty level in a different program with higher premiums. The Senate bill provides basic vision and dental coverage under SCHIP, as well as more comprehensive dental coverage for an additional premium. In addition, the bill would impose a $25 copayment for PeachCare beneficiaries who unnecessarily visit emergency departments (Larrabee, Savannah Morning News, 4/17). SCHIP legislation approved by the state House would lower annual income eligibility limits from 235% of the poverty level to 200%. The bill also would require the program to charge beneficiaries additional premiums for dental and vision coverage, which currently are provided at no cost (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 3/29). If the House and Senate cannot agree on changes to the program, PeachCare will remain as is.

Report
The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute on Tuesday released an analysis of the Senate legislation that states, "In general, these changes are premature in that they seek to shrink the program to achieve state and federal fund savings that are likely unnecessary." The report concludes, "Instead of implementing hastily compiled, yet substantial, changes to the PeachCare program that would likely reduce coverage, Georgia would be best served to wait for the federal reauthorization process to run its course" (Fain, Macon Telegraph, 4/18).