Criminal Defense Attorney in Georgetown, GA.

Most of the children who lost Medicaid coverage last month had their health insurance terminated for procedural reasons and not because they were no longer eligible. Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images

Children accounted for about two-thirds of the nearly 96,000 Georgians who lost their Medicaid coverage last month as part of the nationwide unwinding of a pandemic-era federal policy.

And most of the children – 63,481 of them – had their health insurance terminated for procedural reasons, according to information provided by the state Department of Community Health in response to a request from the Georgia Recorder.

“To see that 63,000 children lost Medicaid because of just something that went wrong in the process tells me that this is not a process that is sustainable,” said Callan Wells, senior health policy manager with GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students.

“We really need to make major systemic changes so that we’re not seeing 63,000 children losing Medicaid, losing health care coverage, losing the ability to go to the doctor to be treated for their ongoing chronic conditions, missing opportunities for early intervention. We can’t keep doing this,” she said.

Of the 67,454 total children whose Medicaid coverage was terminated last month, about 4,000 were ruled no longer eligible, according to the department’s data.

But the state agencies responsible for the unwinding say some of the enrollees whose coverage was marked as being ensnared in a bureaucratic process were likely also no longer eligible.

Information on file with the state suggested that about 20,000 of the 89,000 total adults and children who were disenrolled last month after not completing the renewal process in time would be ineligible for Medicaid today, according to DCH. For example, they may now earn too much money, live in another state or be too old for the state’s program for children.

“We are anticipating that many of the people who are no longer eligible have aged out of PeachCare for Kids, but we are actively focused on reaching as many Medicaid members as possible, especially children, to ensure they are prepared to go through the redetermination process,” said Kylie Winton, communications director for the Department of Human Services, which is handling the day-to-day work of the unwinding.

These renewals usually happen every year, but states were barred from kicking people off the public health insurance program during the pandemic, which caused Georgia’s Medicaid rolls to swell to 2.7 million people. Now, all states must complete the massive undertaking of reviewing each person’s eligibility by next summer.

Nationally, at least 3.8 million people have been disenrolled across 39 states and DC, according to KFF Health News.

In Georgia, which has one of the highest uninsured rates in the country, as many as 545,000 people could lose their coverage, according to an estimate from last year. A significant number of Georgia children – 40% – are covered by Medicaid, according to Georgetown’s Center for Children and Families.

Last month’s unwinding data represents the first large group of people to go through the process in Georgia, and it showed that more people lost coverage than kept it. When the state reported that monthly data earlier this month, the status of about 60,000 people was still pending – more than half of them children.

Winton said the state continues its efforts to reach families that may be at risk of losing their health insurance, including multiple attempts to contact them by mail, email and text as well as a broad public information campaign. She said there is also a push to inform Medicaid enrollees that they have 90 days from their redetermination date to submit their paperwork and potentially regain coverage and, for those who are no longer eligible, highlight other coverage options.

“All Georgians who are eligible for Medicaid should have the opportunity to retain their coverage, and that’s why the state has leveraged multiple waivers from the federal government to improve our processes, hired hundreds of new staff, and worked to increase our phone system capacity,” Winton said Friday. “We are listening to the community and working through the challenges that members are encountering.”

The state has applied for seven waivers designed to cut down the number of procedural denials, allowing the state to do things like accept updated contact information from managed care plans, according to Winton.

Caylee Noggle, the outgoing commissioner of the Department of Community Health, which administers the Medicaid program in Georgia, told members of the Board of Community Health earlier this month that her agency also planned to target back-to-school registration as an outreach opportunity.

“We are committed to continuing to do all that we can to make sure that no one loses coverage who should have either the ability to remain on Medicaid or to get connected either to Pathways or to the marketplace or some other coverage option,” Noggle said.

Pathways is Gov. Brian Kemp’s plan to slightly expand Medicaid for low-income Georgians who complete 80 hours of work or qualifying activity each month to gain and keep coverage. That program, which launched this month, could enroll as many as 100,000 people, according to a state estimate.

But health policy experts say the unwinding of the pandemic-era rule is also bringing new attention to an arduous process that has long left Georgia’s youngest residents vulnerable to potentially inconsistent Medicaid coverage.

In the long term, Wells advocates for ending the renewal requirement for children up to the age of six.

Wells and others are also urging the state to lean more on local organizations that can act as trusted messengers in their communities to raise awareness of the redetermination process and help those who are eligible keep their coverage.

And they are pushing back on the perception some have that a procedural denial must be the fault of the individual.

“This is a very onerous process littered with landmines and there’s so many barriers along the way to completing the process. It’s not all on the family. It’s a process that’s just not a very person-centered process in the first place,” said Leah Chan, director of health justice with the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, adding that low public awareness of the unwinding also remains a concern.

Chan said she hopes state agencies will adjust when troubling trend lines appear in the monthly data, such as the early numbers showing a disproportionate number of children losing coverage.

“This is not an immovable situation. We have the tools to see this data and make sure this is not what the data looks like in the months to come,” Chan said.

If someone thinks their coverage was cut off in error, they have 30 days to appeal the decision. And if someone loses Medicaid coverage because they did not complete the renewal process in time, they have 90 days to submit updated proof of eligibility to have their coverage retroactively restored.

For more information about the unwinding, visit staycovered.ga.gov. More information about Georgia Pathways can be found here.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST.

ATHENS, Ga. – The University of Georgia Athletic Association has announced a new In-House NIL Department and has expanded its partnership with Altius Sports Partners to support and educate student-athletes pursuing NIL opportunities.

UGA has named Tanner Potts as Director of NIL and Strategic Initiatives to coordinate this new NIL Department and manage an NIL program on track to double the number of deals for student-athletes year to year.

Under the umbrella of this new office, Altius Sports Partners (ASP) will hire and support an Athlete Marketing Manager, who will work directly with student-athletes and external entities — such as local, state and national brands — with the goal of connecting student-athletes to these brands.

"It is critical that we remain at the forefront of Name, Image and Likeness," J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Josh Brooks said. "Altius Sports Partners is the national leader when it comes to NIL, and has been a tremendous partner for us as we navigate this ever-evolving landscape. We are thrilled to bring on an Athlete Marketing Manager and establish our own in-house department. This will continue to enhance and elevate our student-athletes' success when it comes to NIL."

The new NIL department will be student-athlete focused with the aim of supporting student-athletes' NIL goals and cultivating as many opportunities as possible for Georgia athletes. The Athlete Marketing Manager will join UGA Athletics this summer.

"UGA's creation of a new in-house NIL department and expanded partnership with Altius Sports Partners is a clear indication of their leadership in the NIL space and their commitment to supporting their student-athletes. By prioritizing the development of student-athletes' personal brands and maximizing their NIL opportunities, UGA is not only ensuring their immediate success, but also providing them with a strong foundation for long-term success. This forward-thinking initiative sets UGA apart as a leader in collegiate athletics and underscores their dedication to helping their athletes achieve their goals both during and after their time at Georgia. We are thrilled to partner with UGA on this initiative and are excited about the tremendous opportunities it will create for student-athletes," said Celine Mangan, Director, Business and Client Strategy, Altius.

"Establishing a dedicated NIL department – and expanding a partnership with Altius— signals a game-changing commitment to UGA's student-athletes." Potts said. "As an institution, we have an obligation to educate and empower our student-athletes in the classroom, on the field of play, and now in Name, Image and Likeness. I am honored and excited to be a part of this journey and to help our student-athletes maximize their NIL opportunities."

ASP's latest program prioritizes development of student-athlete NIL while fostering collaboration with institutional partners and university supporters. It is an extension of ASP's services, which are rooted in navigating and keeping school partners ahead of the curve and compliantly optimizing NIL activities for their student-athletes.

About Altius Sports Partners Altius Sports Partners (ASP) is a leading NIL launch platform and external innovation department that delivers consulting, strategic planning, compliance support and education to its clients. An official partner of premier collegiate athletic departments and sports properties, ASP provides strategic solutions on topics ranging from NIL to the shifting landscape of employment and media rights within college athletics. ASP currently represents athletics departments at Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Cincinnati, Clemson, Duke, Georgia, Georgetown, Indiana, Kansas, LSU, Marquette, Miami, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Northwestern, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon State, Penn State, South Carolina, USC, Tennessee, Texas, Villanova, Virginia, and Wisconsin. ASP has also partnered with Women Leaders in College Sports. Providing all stakeholders – athletics departments, coaches and college athletes – with resources they need to thrive in the new age of college athletics, ASP leverages its deep reservoir of sports business sophistication to help those impacted to prepare and excel. It has built a team of cross-disciplinary leaders to reach higher levels of education, higher access to opportunities and higher standards of excellence.

Georgia DOT continues essential road work throughout Southeast Georgia. As a result, work on construction and maintenance projects will continue Saturday, June 17 through Friday, June 23.

All work subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are cautioned to reduce their speed while traveling thru work zones, pay attention and watch for workers.

Traffic interruptions are listed below by interstates, categories, and counties.

Interstate 95

I-95 McIntosh County Champney R. Bridge (MP 45.5) to Darien R. Bridge (MP 49.0) Lane Closures Monday- Thursday 7pm-7am & Weekends – Friday 9pm until Monday 5am Bridge Maintenance/Rehabilitation thru October 2023

I-95 at MP 68 – MP 78 Liberty & Bryan Counties Installation of Cable Barrier Inside Shoulder Closures Daily

I-95 at MP 81 – MP 90 Liberty & Bryan Counties Installation of Cable Barrier Inside Shoulder Closures Daily

Interstate 16

I-16 (in the Vicinity of SR 307) Chatham County Lane Closures for DDI Construction on I-16 & SR 307 Monday – Saturday · I-16 Eastbound from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. · I-16 Westbound from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. · SR 307 North from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. · SR 307 South from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Continues thru end of June 2023

Bridge & Road Closures with Detours

SR 169 at Canoochee River Bridge Evans County Road Closure June 12 for Bridge Replacement Expected to Reopen March 2024 Detour via US 301, US 280, SR 129

SR 520 at Satilla River Overflow Bridge Brantley County Lane Closures for Bridge Replacement Expected to Reopen July 2024 Single Lane Traffic in Both Directions thru Work Zone On-site Detour: WB Traffic Shift to EB Bridge

Ten Mile Church Road at 10 Mile Creek Bacon County Road Closure for Bridge Replacement Expected to Reopen in July 2023 Detour via Radio Station Rd, S Pierce St., SR 32, SR 203

Bell Telephone Road Jeff Davis County Road Closure for Bridge Replacement Expected to Reopen July 2023 Detour via Ira Graham Rd, Bridgeford Church Rd, Philadelphia Church Rd, Taylor Rd, Post Rd

Bridge Construction, Rehabilitation, and Maintenance

State Route 25 Chatham County Appleby Road (MP 19) to the South Carolina State Line Alternating Lane Closures for Bridge Construction Monday – Saturday 9am to 4pm

US 80 @ Lazaretto Creek Bridge Chatham County Overnight lane closure 9 pm Monday thru 6 am Tuesday Preliminary work for the future bridge replacement

SR 25 at Houlihan Bridge Chatham County Single lane closure utilizing traffic signals Bridge repair timeline TBD Alternate route via SR 25, SR 30, SR 21, I-95, US 17

Resurfacing

SR 204/ Abercorn St Chatham County From Georgetown Exit to Stephenson Ave Lane Closures for Asphalt Resurfacing Sunday – Friday 7pm to 6am

SR 26/HWY 80 Chatham County From Bourne Ave to Wilkes Street Daily/Nightly Lane Closures 9pm to 6am

SR 196/SR 119 Liberty County From Gate 1 to Gate 5 (MP 4.67 to 7.15) Lane Closures 7pm to 5am Friday – Saturday

SR 119 Liberty County From Airport Rd to SR 138 (MP.0 to 4.67) Lane Closures 7pm to 5am Friday – Saturday

SR 39/ Old Sunbury Road Liberty County From Joseph Martin Rd to Old Hines Rd Nightly Lane Closures for Pipe Installation 7pm to 6am Sunday – Friday

SR 30 Evans County Tattnall/Evans County Line to Cedar St. Daily Lane Closure 7am to 7pm 4/24/23 – 6/30/23

Old Highway 250 Tattnall County Mainline Left/Right Lane Closed due to Shoulder Widening Monday – Saturday 7am to 8pm Starting 2/27/2023 – 9/30/2023

SR 67 Bypass Bulloch County Fair Road to SR 26/US80 Daily Lane Closure 7am to 8pm Resurfacing 3/20/2023 – 6/30/2023

SR130 Montgomery/Toombs County From SR135 to US1/SR4 Daily Lane Closures 7am to 7pm 4/3/2023 – 6/31/2023

SR 303 Glynn County From SR 520 to SR 25 Daily Lane Closures 7pm to 6am 4/16/2023 – 8/31/2023

SR 25 Camden County From Florida Line to MLK Blvd (Kingsland) Daily Lane Closures Nightly Lane Closures within City Limits 7pm to 5am 5/5/2023 – 12/31/2023

SR 21 Effingham County North of Dewitt Rd to Screven Co. Line Milling & Resurfacing Daily Flagging Operation (Detour, Lane Shift) Monday thru Sunday 7am – 8pm Starting 6/5/2023 – 6/30/2023

SR 144 Tattnall County From SR 73/US 301 to Beards Creek Bridge Daily Lane Closures 7am to 5pm Milling and Resurfacing Starting 6/10/23 – 7/31/23

Other Traffic Interruptions

SR 169 Evans County From SR 129 to Riverside Drive Brewton Park Boat Ramp Access will Remain Open to Public

SR23/SR57 Tattnall County From SR169 to SR121 Daily Lane Closures for Road Widening 8am to 3pm Starting 12/20/2022 – 12/10/2023

SR4/US1 Toombs County Traffic Shift to New Alignment M.P. 8.2 and M.P. 11.7 Tuesday June 20, 2023

SR 21/SR 30 Chatham County I-95/SR 405 to Berrien Rd Nightly Lane Closures for Work on Striping Monday – Friday 7pm to 6am

SR 40 Camden County West of Grove Blvd to East of Truss Plant Road Widening and Reconstruction for Additional Turn Lanes Lane Closures Monday thru Friday, 7am to 5pm Ends 9/30/2023

SR 25/Burnsed Blvd. Chatham County US 80/Burnsed Blvd. and SR 25/Brampton Rd. Road Widening & Paving Operations Lane Closures Mon. – Fri. 7am to 6pm

the intersection of SR 25. Traffic will move to the southbound lanes, which will become one lane in each direction.

needing access to Foundation Drive.

SR 25/US 17 Glynn County Yacht Road to Harry Driggers Blvd Lane Closures for Widening and Reconstruction Monday thru Friday, 9am to 4pm & 6pm to 7am, Expected completion 2^nd Quarter 2024

Related Topics

ATLANTA - Medical marijuana sales in Georgia have taken a step backwards due to technicality.

The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission meet in a special session on Thursday to backtrack on last week's unanimously approval to pass rules for testing, inspections, and distribution of the controlled substance.

"The commission is committed to conducting its business correctly and transparently, therefore we are here today to rescind the motions adopted during the commission Jan. 25th meeting," Chairman Sid Johnson said during Thursday's meeting.

Johnson says when filing began on last week's approved rules for certification, it was discovered a notice of the meeting was not sent to the Office of Legislative Counsel was not notified according to state law. He says other various agencies and special interest groups were notified, but that state law singles out that specific office.

Johnson says the rules will also be updated to correct scribing errors and to reflect recent feedback from laboratories. Those changes, along with the new meeting notices, will be posted on Monday.

Last Thursday vote, if certified, would have cleared the way for low THC dispensaries to open as soon as this spring. However, officials have not specifically said when distribution will begin. There is no word on how much of a delay this would cause once the new vote takes place.

Planned locations include Marietta, Newnan, and Macon.

Back in September 2022, the commission granted two companies production licenses to grow medical marijuana.

The two winning companies, Botanical Sciences and Trulieve Georgia, will be able to cultivate medical marijuana oil on 100,000 square feet of indoor growing space.

Each company will be authorized to open five dispensaries, which will serve only registered patients.

The state first authorized medical marijuana oil in 2015 to treat illnesses including severe seizures, Parkinson’s disease and terminal cancers. But there is still no legal way to buy it in Georgia, although nearly 25,000 patients have gotten physician approval and been placed on a state registry. Patients have gone to other states or bought through underground markets.

Here's what you need to know before taking part in fireworks for New Year's Eve.

ATLANTA — New Year's Eve is just around the corner, which means one thing; fireworks!

However, before stocking up for a weekend of festivities, be sure you're aware of the various laws surrounding where you can set off these combustible items and which you can legally purchase in the first place.

You wouldn't want the New Year's Eve fun to come to a swift end by hurting someone or getting in trouble with local authorities.

What fireworks can you buy in Georgia?

All fireworks classified as DOT 1.4G (consumer fireworks) in Georgia are legal to purchase and use as stated in the Georgia General Assembly House Bill 727. The fireworks that you can legally buy in retail stores across Georgia include:

Who Can Buy Consumer Fireworks in Georgia?

In Georgia, you must be 18 years or older to purchase fireworks. There is not an exact age for igniting them, but Georgia.gov reminds residents to remember that most injuries happen to kids under 16.

It is illegal to light fireworks under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

When Can You Light Fireworks in Georgia?

While technically, you can ignite fireworks all year, they were meant for the holidays. In particular, July 4 and New Year's. On those days, the hours are extended:

New Years: until 1 a.m.

Fourth of July: until midnight

Any other day: Between 10 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. Note: New legislation effective July 1, 2018, gives local authorities the option to restrict the use of fireworks at certain times, provided the restriction is part of a general noise ordinance that does not apply solely to fireworks.

Where Can You Light Fireworks in Georgia?

It depends on where you live. Some private communities, including HOAs, condos or apartment complexes, may prohibit fireworks, while others may set aside a spot to ignite them. Bottom line: check your communities laws and bylines to be sure.

Fireworks are banned in some places, including on roads and highways.

It is illegal to light fireworks within 100 yards of a:

Fireworks are strictly prohibited in state parks, according the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, State Parks and Historic Sites. They are also banned in other public parks except for those with a special license.

Remember that while they may be legal, consumer fireworks are considered hazardous materials (hazmat) division 1.4G explosives. Be mindful of the laws when purchasing and lighting them off to ensure the safety of everyone.