Georgia's Medicaid Program Extended Despite Low Enrollment

Tue Oct 21 2025 01:22:44 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Georgia's Pathways to Coverage Medicaid program gets a 15-month extension as part of federal efforts led by Trump, despite criticism over low enrollment rates and administrative costs.

Governor Brian Kemp announced that Georgia’s Pathways to Coverage program will continue until December 2026, allowing some low-income adults to access health insurance with work requirements. Critics highlight that enrollment numbers are far below projections, with many arguing that the system is overly complicated and restricts access to essential healthcare. The state plans to implement changes to ease these burdens, including annual reporting of work hours instead of monthly. However, opposition remains regarding the program's efficiency and its impact on those needing coverage.

ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia's Pathways to Coverage Medicaid program has been granted a 15-month extension, allowing it to provide health coverage to low-income adults who can document their work or activities, according to Governor Brian Kemp. The program is set to continue through December 2026, despite receiving criticism for limited enrollment and high administrative costs.

Initially designed to cover 25,000 people in its first year, only 9,175 have been enrolled as of August. Critics argue that the administrative complexity involved is making it challenging for potential beneficiaries to access healthcare. The program is a response to pressures to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, which Georgia, alongside several Republican-led states, has refused to do.

Under the extension, new provisions will allow parents of children under six to qualify without additional work requirements, and beneficiaries will only have to report their qualifying hours annually instead of monthly. These changes are aimed at addressing past issues with the system's reporting mechanism. Nevertheless, opponents highlight that far too few people are being served, and many will likely be denied coverage.