Georgia Democrats balk at GOP bill that could delay bipartisan Medicaid expansion talks

House Swainsboro Republican Butch Parrish is sponsoring House Bill 1339, which would loosen state regulations governing where healthcare facilties can open and operate known as certificate of need. The bill also calls for more study of Georgia’s healthcare gaps. (Aaleah McConnell/Georgia Recorder)

State House Democrats continue to push back against a new GOP-backed bill that would further delay any possible deal on Medicaid expansion until after this year.  

Earlier in the legislative session, House Speaker Jon Burns had signaled he was open to learning more about a full possible expansion. 

Now with just days to go before a key General Assembly deadline when bills must cross over from one chamber to another in order to have a chance of final passage, Medicaid expansion’s chances seem to be fading.