Improving Medicaid and health access in GA: Congresswoman Bourdeaux and the Build Back Better Act

On Monday, November 29th (2021), Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA-07) makes a stop at the Lawrenceville Health Center (Lawrenceville, GA). Joined by Chad Wasdin (Communications Director for the Gwinnett Health Department), Laura Colbert (Executive Director for Georgians for a Healthy Future), and Liz Earnest (of Protect Our Care), the focus is on the larger area of concern for expanding healthcare coverage, specifically the Medicaid coverage gaps which are part of a series of ongoing general public health issues (please refer to the following article on the $1.9 trillion relief package passed earlier this year, as nearly $2 billion is earmarked for Georgia to address Medicaid and related health access issues: click HERE) in the state of Georgia (among other states).

The additional presence of state representative Rebecca Mitchell (GA House District 106) and those in the medial community underscore the importance and relevancy of this and related health access areas of concern.

The hope with the recently passed (in the US House of Representatives) Build Back Better Act, improved access becomes a reality. Among the tangible goals of the act include providing improves health access and related opportunities for nearly 600,000 Georgia residents who currently do not have coverage or are lacking access.

The potential impact goes beyond health related measures, as improved broadband provisions can lead to improved economic viability among other "halo" effects (please refer to the full video interview for details):

A direct comment from Congresswoman Bourdeaux (GA-07) speaks to this and related possibilities and larger benefits to the greater community in her district and beyond. She notes, "One of my top priorities since I was sworn in has been ensuring that Americans of all backgrounds have access to quality, affordable health care. We have a fiscal responsibility and a moral obligation to expand Medicaid coverage. I am proud of the work I have done to ensure this key priority remained in the Build Back Better Act. Now, it's time to finish the job. I urge my Senate colleagues to pass the Build Back Better Act and expand Medicaid.”

Potentially, only the Affordable Healthcare Act has a larger impact on the health landscape compared to this potential act.

The bill now moves to the Senate; potentially, the healthcare landscape could experience a major change starting in 2022.

Notes: All photos and video are captured by Andrew Snorton.

Photo grid: The top row (left to right) includes Congresswoman Bourdeaux, Liz Earnest (from Protect Our Care), and others in the medical/health community. The bottom row (left to right) includes all dignitaries, State Representative Mitchell, and the local media covering today's press conference.

Video: The first video is a short which features Congresswoman Bourdeaux fielding our question; the second video is the complete press conference and related Q and A.