Georgia’s Work-Based Medicaid Plan Has Enrollment Problems

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s Medicaid program, which has faced criticism for its work requirement, has to this point struggled with enrollment.

Kemp’s model stays the just one within the U.S. with a piece mandate. It launched in July 2023 despite opposition from the White House. The Georgia Pathways plan requires participants to work 80 hours a month, including volunteer work, school or vocational rehabilitation. According to Kemp stays adamant about promoting the enterprise despite the collapse extremely short registration expectations.

The Republican lawmaker has continued to advertise the plan, most recently during a panel discussion on Aug. 19. He noted that the controversial program will raise questions but emphasized his determination to get more Georgians on board.

“Being first isn’t always easy,” Kemp said. “We’re going to continue to cut and get new people signed up.”

However, the greater than 4,300 members counted in early June fall wanting expectations of 25,000 members in the primary yr. Additionally, Kemp believes that delays attributable to the Biden administration have also contributed to the low membership numbers.

Pathways’ original 2021 launch date fell through after the White House balked and rescinded the work requirement. Despite Georgia’s successful lawsuit to reinstate the work order, which a judge approved in 2022, the state still has an extended strategy to go before Pathways gets back on its feet.

What’s more, the Biden administration has denied that it was thwarting Pathways’ efforts, saying it was only intervening within the work requirement. The federal government has also approved a plan to lower premiums and increase competition in Georgia’s health care market.

Interestingly, this system has had a tough time promoting itself or reaching eligible audiences. Still, state officials plan to combat the issue with a serious campaign across Georgia, including on college campuses.

Opponents have called for a full Medicaid expansion with no work requirement, which could help about 500,000 low-income Georgians. But Kemp hopes to maintain long-term costs low together with his transition plan. He intends Pathways to be a stepping stone for beneficiaries who eventually get private insurance.