ATLANTA (Feb. 18, 2010) – Today, State Senator Don Thomas (R-Dalton) led the Senate to unanimously pass Senate Bill 316, legislation that helps dialysis patients in Georgia supplement their high medical costs with secondary insurance through Medicare.
“As a practicing physician for over 50 years, I understand the importance of having quality, affordable health care,” said Thomas. “I am proud to sponsor legislation that increases access to life-saving treatments for those with kidney failure.”
SB 316 requires insurers offering Medicare supplement policies to those under the age of 65 to offer the same policies to eligible citizens enrolled in Medicare for disability or end-stage renal disease regardless of age. This improved access to supplemental policies, commonly referred to as Medigap insurance, breaks down certain obstacles created by the overwhelming cost of health care. SB 316 expands eligibility to about 2,000 Georgians. It passed unanimously in the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee before receiving overwhelming support on the Senate floor.
# # # #
Sen. Don Thomas serves as chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee. He represents the 54th Senate District, which includes Murray and Whitfield counties and portions of Catoosa and Gordon counties. He may be reached by phone at 404-656-6436 or by e-mail at don.thomas@senate.ga.gov.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
February 18, 2010
For Information Contact:
Natalie Strong, Deputy Director
Katie Wright, Communications Associate
katie.wright@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028