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FAMILY & POLICY

AN ADVOCACY PROGRAM OF MARCH 12, 2010

Gov. Perdue proposes more cuts, higher PeachCare Bulletin). It passed the House and is in Senate Judiciary.
premiums. After receiving more negative news on SB 471 (Harp, 29th) would require a home study before a
revenues, the Governor reduced his recommended FY child can be put in a pre-adoptive placement with anyone
2010 budget by $342.6 M and replaced it with federal other than a step-parent or a relative. If the pre-adoptive
stimulus funds he had allocated for the FY 2011 budget. placement already has legal custody of the child through
Turning to the FY 2011 budget, he reduced his revenue guardianship, the placement must seek a court order
estimate, removing anticipated authorizing placement pending the
funds he had wanted to raise completion of a home study
through hospital and HMO fees. Highlights within 30 days of filing the
Hospitals had fought hard against → The General Assembly will meet for the 25 dayth petition for adoption. It is in
the planned 1.6% tax, saying it of the 40-day session on Tuesday, March 16 .th Senate Judiciary. SB 304
would disadvantage more → Much work remains to be done by Appropriations (Unterman, 45th) would set 16 as
facilities than it would help. Committees, especially on the FY 2011 budget. the minimum age for prosecution
Now Gov. Perdue proposes of prostitution. Revised language
increasing various state fees by $96 M and eliminating the requiring that children under 16 be handled through
sales tax exemption for nonprofit hospitals to generate juvenile courts and diverted to treatment was presented in
another $130 M. He also proposes another $442.9 M in Senate Judiciary on 3/8. After much testimony for and
cuts to the FY 2011 budget. against, the bill was tabled for further discussion.
Provider rate cuts. The plan would slash Medicaid and Medicaid/PeachCare CMOs. HB 1317 (Buckner, 130th)
PeachCare provider payments by 10.25% instead of the would allow care maintenance organization members to
1.98% originally planned. Providers spared would be switch plans if their CMO terminates a contract with a
nursing homes and emergency transportation (both of provider and they would lose access to their primary care
which generate fee revenue), home and community based home, a dentist, or a specialist who is providing treatment.
services, and community mental health providers. It is in the House Health and Human Services Committee.
Advocates are concerned about these rate cuts; there are Care at home for people with disabilities. HB 1040
already access problems in some areas, especially for (Pruett, 144th) would allow people with disabilities to
dental services, and a recent survey of doctors shows that receive certain health maintenance services at home.
further fee reductions will cause many to cut back or Currently, paid, unlicensed caregivers are prohibited from
discontinue serving Medicaid and PeachCare patients. performing nursing tasks like colostomy, tracheostomy or
PeachCare premium increases. Gov. Perdue also feeding tube care or injecting insulin. A revised draft in
proposes to increase monthly premiums for children who House Judiciary Non-Civil would allow a licensed nurse
enroll in PeachCare. We do not yet have details on the to train a designated caregiver to provide specific services
plan, but note that Georgia’s premiums are already among to a particular person as ordered by a doctor. Consent
the highest in the country for the lower income families in would be required and liability would be limited.
PeachCare. Premium hikes increase the number of
uninsured children. Other states are stepping up efforts to DCH Commissioner Medows resignation. Citing
enroll more children and to keep them enrolled. personal reasons, Dr. Rhonda resigned as Commissioner
of the Department of Community Health effective March
Child welfare legislation. HB 1085 (Dempsey, 13th) 31st. Dr. Carladenise Edwards, DCH Chief of Staff, will
would bring the Department of Human Services into step in as her replacement.
compliance with provisions of federal law (see 2/5

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Locate your State Representative and Senator: www.votesmart.org (Check your driver’s license for 9-digit zip code.)

This news bulletin is prepared for Family & Policy by Linda Smith Lowe and Mary Frances Williams.
If you have questions: smithlowe@earthlink.net (404-274-1746) or mfwilliams@speakeasy.net (404-395-3485)

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