Governor Perdue Orders Review of Child Health Care Changes
| Tuesday, July 22, 2003 |
Contact: Office of Communications 404-651-7774
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Says "There is no higher priority than our children"
Atlanta - Governor Sonny Perdue today ordered a review of proposed changes to Georgia's "PeachCare" health insurance plan for low income children.
Budget shortfalls and a lack of appropriated funds from the Georgia General Assembly recently caused the Department of Community Health (DCH) to announce policy changes which would have reduced enrollment in the program. Letters to that effect were mailed to parents across the state late last week.
Perdue has ordered that these policy proposals be reexamined and has asked for a complete review of all available options to provide the best possible health insurance for Georgia's children.
"I have told Georgians that we must make fiscal decisions as a family and pay for high priority items first," Perdue said. "I can think of no higher priority than our children and I want to make certain that all options are considered fully before implementing any changes in the PeachCare system."
Faced with budget cuts and the failure of the General Assembly to appropriate additional monies to fund increasing enrollment, DCH decided to:
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eliminate coverage for the month of application,
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provide for a 6-month waiting period for individuals who voluntarily drop private insurance coverage, and
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provide for a 3-month lockout period for non-payment of premiums.
These proposals would have taken effect in October if approved by the DCH Board. Perdue's order will initiate a review of all available options and supercedes the announced DCH policy.