ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia's Pathways to Coverage program, which provides health insurance for low-income adults under strict work documentation requirements, has received a 15-month extension from the Trump administration.
Governor Brian Kemp announced on Thursday that the federally approved extension allows the program to continue until December 2026. Originally set to expire next week, the extension comes after the program began post-bureaucratic challenges from the Biden administration.
This program has garnered significant attention as it reflects a nationwide push by Republicans for similar work requirements in Medicaid programs. Starting in 2027, adults seeking Medicaid will need to prove they are working, participating in classes, or volunteering for at least 80 hours a month.
Georgia's current enrollment numbers have been disappointing, with only 9,175 individuals covered as of August, falling short of the initially projected target of 25,000 for the first year. Critics attribute this low participation to the complicated administrative process regarding work documentation, which they argue will ultimately exclude many from obtaining coverage.
Republicans defend the low enrollment figures, asserting that Medicaid should act as a temporary solution for those unable to secure employer-sponsored insurance.
Under the extended plan, the Pathways program will also simplify processes for parents of young children, eliminating work requirements for guardians of children under six and enabling annual rather than monthly reporting of qualifying work hours.
Despite the extension, critics, including Democratic Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, have condemned the program for its excessive red tape and the financial benefits it provides to private consultants at the expense of public health access.
Warnock characterized the administrative overhead of the program as 'unjust,' stating, 'It is wrong, it is immoral, and it only makes our country sicker and poorer.'
