ATLANTA (AP) — President Trump's administration has approved a 15-month extension for Georgia’s Pathways to Coverage program, which provides health insurance to low-income adults who document their work or other qualifying activities. Governor Brian Kemp announced the new timeline, ensuring the program continues until December 2026.
The Pathways program, a five-year pilot, was meant to address Georgia’s expansion under the federal Medicaid plan but faced legal challenges during the transition from the Biden administration, which sought to terminate it. As of August, the initiative has enrolled 9,175 individuals, falling significantly short of the projected target of 25,000 in its first year.
The extension means that starting in 2027, applicants will have to demonstrate they are engaged in work, education, or community service for a minimum of 80 hours a month to qualify for Medicaid. Critics have pointed out that the current program has incurred higher administrative costs than healthcare provision, raising concerns about its effectiveness.
Pathways is seen as a response to pressures on Kemp to expand Medicaid coverage, but it limits eligibility to those earning up to the poverty line, approximately $15,650 annually. Traditional Medicaid in Georgia continues to support poorer populations, including children and disabled adults.
Under the extension, parents and guardians of children under six will not need to document work to receive health coverage, and some reporting requirements have been streamlined to reduce bureaucratic hurdles. Critics, including Democratic Senators, describe it as a mechanism that deters low-income individuals from accessing the health services they require.
Governor Kemp defended the changes, stating they create a more efficient program for Georgians in need, contrasting the approach taken by the previous administration.
