Georgia Republicans shot down a last-ditch attempt by Democrats to expand Medicaid on Thursday in a state Senate committee, frustrating Democrats who say GOP leaders broke a promise to advance the bill.
The Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee rejected the plan on a tie 7-7 vote, after two Republicans and five Democrats voted to advance a plan. The bill called for the state to buy private health insurance for lower income adults who aren’t covered. Private insurance could result in higher payments to medical providers than under Georgia’s existing Medicaid plan.
The measure was presented by Democratic Sen. David Lucas of Macon, who argued Republicans and Democrats should grab federal bonus money that would pay for the first two years of extending coverage.
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