Georgia lawmakers fighting to save PeachCare
February 9, 2007 -- Atlanta, GA -- State Sen. Tim Golden (D-Valdosta) Unfortunately, there was nothing but bad news this week about the future of Georgia’s PeachCare for Kids program. First, President Bush refused to include funding that would cover the current $131 million federal shortfall in a special appropriations bill. Then, Georgia Department of Community Health Commissioner Rhonda Medows announced the program would stop accepting new enrollees effective March 11 unless the funding is approved.

PeachCare, which provides affordable health care to the children of working Georgia families, serves about 270,000 children throughout the state. As members of the Community Health Subcommittees of our respective Senate and House Appropriations Committees, we understand that PeachCare is a vitally important program, and it is essential that a solution be found to the current funding crisis.

If there is a silver lining to the dark cloud hanging over PeachCare, it is that Georgia legislators from both political parties and both chambers are putting aside their differences to work on solving this problem. It’s a time for leadership, and Republicans and Democrats in both the Senate and House of Representatives are working hard to find some answers before the program runs out of money next month.

In the House, two pieces of legislation have been introduced that would provide at least temporary relief. House Bill 236 would allow the state to fully fund the entire shortfall instead of relying on the federal government. This could be an additional option in case Congress fails to act in time to stop an interruption in the program. A second measure introduced on Thursday would increase the number of children eligible for coverage and thus increase premium payments to the state.

We also agree with House Appropriations Committee Chairman Ben Harbin (R-Evans), who has strongly called on the new Congress to act swiftly to avert a crisis caused by the failure of the previous Congress to address problems with the federal funding formula, which penalizes Georgia and other states that have worked hard to enroll uninsured children.

Rep. Harbin knows that Georgia will find a way to step up to the plate if Congress does not. But even a temporary infusion of state money would have a ripple effect throughout the state budget, causing cuts to other important initiatives.

In the Senate, new Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle has appointed a special PeachCare Task Force, which he said would be convened for the purpose of developing a short list of options for the full Senate to consider in order to save the PeachCare program in the long term. The task force will submit its recommendations to the Senate in about two weeks.

Since the beginning of the 2007 session, the PeachCare situation has been the dominant issue at the State Capitol. A bipartisan team of lawmakers traveled to Washington last month and met with Georgia’s congressional delegation – including South Georgia’s own Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Albany) and Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Savannah) – and secured their commitment to work toward a solution.

Later, Gov. Perdue testified before a U.S. Senate Committee to urge immediate action. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) then quoted Gov. Perdue on the urgency of the matter in their letter to President Bush requesting the emergency funding to cover the shortfall.

Even though the President declined that request, it is a good sign that the leaders of the new Congress are aware of the seriousness of the problem and will work to continue healthcare coverage for children in Georgia and the other affected states.

• State Sen. Tim Golden represents the 8th District (Brooks, Cook, Lowndes and Thomas Counties). During the legislative session, he can be reached at 121-A State Capitol, Atlanta, Ga. 30334; by phone at 404-656-7580; or by e-mail at tim.golden@senate.ga.gov.

• Rep. Jay Shaw represents the 176th District (Berrien, Clinch, Lanier and Lowndes counties) in the Georgia House of Representatives. Contact him at 512 Coverdell Office Building, Atlanta, Ga. 30334; by phone at 404-656-7859; or by e-mail at jay.shaw@house.ga.gov.