(GPB News)- U.S. senators are expected to vote this week on a measure that could extend federal Affordable Care Act subsidies. Meanwhile, at the state level, lawmakers are preparing for the upcoming legislative session and weighing their own options to make health care more affordable to Georgians.
Georgia Senate Minority Leader Harold Jones said his fellow Democrats plan to revive a bill from last session filed by his party. It would create a health care affordability program in hopes to lower premiums.
“Not only do Republicans refuse to act, they actively ignore legislation that will bring solutions to these problems,” he said.
Republican state Sen. Ben Watson said Georgia should stick to the state’s Pathways to Coverage plan that helps those who do not qualify for Medicaid pay for health care.
“For the hysteria to get started here in the state is just unwarranted now, and I think it’s unwarranted in the future,” he said.
Consumers are seeing premiums for 2026’s plans skyrocket during open enrollment, due to the expiring ACA subsidies.
