Sen. Michael Rhett Appointed to Study Committee

ATLANTA (August 10, 2016)  |  Lt. Governor Casey Cagle selected Sen. Michael Rhett (D- Marietta) to serve as Vice Chair of the Premium Assistance Program Senate Study Committee on Tuesday.

“I am honored to be appointed as Vice Chair of this study committee,” said Sen. Rhett. “Ensuring that our citizens have access to healthcare is vital to the wellbeing of our state. This committee will help us determine the best ways to assist Georgians who make too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but too little to qualify for subsidies provided by the federal government.”

“Sen. Michael Rhett has a proven track record in addressing the needs of our citizens and will be an invaluable resource as Vice Chair of the Premium Assistance Program Senate Study Committee,” said Lt. Governor Casey Cagle. “I’m confident he will examine the issues at hand and provide new legislative recommendations to the General Assembly as we prepare for the 2017 Legislative Session.”

The Premium Assistance Program Senate Study Committee was created by Senate Resolution 1056, sponsored by Sen. Rhett, and is composed of six members of the Senate. The Committee will study premium assistance as an alternative to the expansion of Medicaid to assist individuals with purchasing insurance coverage through private group health plans. Similar premium assistance programs have been adopted by other states and have proven to increase access to quality health care, attract insurance carriers, enhance competition in the insurance marketplace, promote individually owned health insurance and reduce the size of the state administered Medicaid program.

The Premium Assistance Program Senate Study Committee will hold meetings throughout the fall and must report its findings on or before December 1, 2016.

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For Immediate Release:
August 10, 2016

For Information Contact:
Ines Owens, Acting Director
Brittany Wagner, Communications Specialist
Brittany.wagner@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028