ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia’s program that provides health insurance to some low-income adults who document work or other activities has been extended for 15 months by President Donald Trump’s administration. Republican Governor Brian Kemp announced Thursday that the federal government approved the continuation of the Pathways to Coverage program as part of the state-federal Medicaid plan through December 2026. The pilot program had been scheduled to expire next week, but Kemp argued it deserves more time because it only recently began after a court battle with the Biden administration.
Georgia’s program has faced scrutiny as it implements work requirements mirroring those mandated nationwide under Trump's tax and budget overhaul. Adults seeking Medicaid coverage must document at least 80 hours of work or activities per month starting in 2027. As of August, the program has enrolled only 9,175 people, significantly below its initial projections. Critics argue that the burdensome administrative process may leave many uninsured, while supporters claim the low enrollment numbers emphasize the program’s intent to provide temporary assistance.
The extension will also allow for changes, such as offering coverage to parents of young children without additional work requirements and simplifying the reporting process to annual rather than monthly. Despite the changes, Democratic U.S. Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff denounce the program, asserting it inhibits access to health care for struggling Georgians while benefiting corporate consultants.
Georgia’s program has faced scrutiny as it implements work requirements mirroring those mandated nationwide under Trump's tax and budget overhaul. Adults seeking Medicaid coverage must document at least 80 hours of work or activities per month starting in 2027. As of August, the program has enrolled only 9,175 people, significantly below its initial projections. Critics argue that the burdensome administrative process may leave many uninsured, while supporters claim the low enrollment numbers emphasize the program’s intent to provide temporary assistance.
The extension will also allow for changes, such as offering coverage to parents of young children without additional work requirements and simplifying the reporting process to annual rather than monthly. Despite the changes, Democratic U.S. Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff denounce the program, asserting it inhibits access to health care for struggling Georgians while benefiting corporate consultants.
