GA Faith Leaders Applaud Medicaid Expansion Introduced by Georgia Senators
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 19, 2021
MEDIA CONTACTS
Austin Schuler, aschuler@faithinpubliclife.org, (540) 280-3393
GA Faith Leaders Applaud Medicaid Expansion Introduced by Georgia Senators
Atlanta, Georgia — Last week, Georgia Sens. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA), along with Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), introduced the Medicaid Saves Lives Act, a bill to close the Medicaid expansion coverage gap in the 12 remaining states that have not done so, by providing eligible individuals with a federal fallback coverage option. Faith leaders in Georgia offered the following statements in response:
Min. Shavonne Williams, Georgia Organizing Ambassador, Faith in Public Life (Augusta)
“This week, I’m grateful that our US Senators here in Georgia, along with Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), introduced the Medicaid Saves Lives Act, expanding the option for Medicaid coverage to millions more Americans, and specifically to some 275,000 of my fellow Georgians. As a minister, I have seen so many low-income, working folks in our great state who are doing their best to support themselves and their families but have no access to health care. It’s heart-wrenching when they tell me that they have to forgo doctor’s appointments, preventive care, basic health care services, and often serious health emergencies, because they can’t afford it and have no access. It is unfair, unjust and goes against my faith tradition. The bible speaks of being in health or enjoying good health in 3 John 1:2. This fuels my belief that every Georgian, and every American, deserves the right to access quality, affordable care regardless of their background or situation. When Georgians are healthy, they can focus on their education, their jobs, raising their children, and seeking better opportunities for themselves and their families that enrich our state economy and quality of life.”
Rev. Fer’Rell Malone, Sr. Senior Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church, CEO, F.R.E.S.H
Communities, LLC (Waycross)
“I personally, along with Fresh Communities, LLC, vehemently support and encourage support of Senators Warnock and Ossoff introducing a bill to close the Medicaid Coverage gap in 12 states, inclusive of 275,000 Georgia adults. The present system has afforded states to make an internal choice to leave out and exclude the least, the less, and the lost. Our Senators’ bold action follows the words of Christ by including the poor into the blessed privilege of affordable health care, therefore reducing the disparities in healthcare and drastically improving outcomes. A game changer for our country.”
Rev. Willie Wiley, Presiding Elder, Augusta-Sparta District CME Church
”’Whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother/sister in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him/her?’ The privileged have a greater charge to keep a higher calling. I encourage all of those who know the right thing, to do the right thing, in His name! Georgia is truly blessed by the work of Senators Warnock and Ossoff who are committed to serving ALL people with the introduction of the bill to close the Medicaid Gap. I salute and support their efforts, along with Senator Baldwin from Wisconsin, whose work and emphasis on producing results for their constituents far exceed the ‘middle school’ actions and activities of their counterparts in Georgia and other states. I encourage all legislators who are truly concerned about everyone’s welfare to support the effort to address the needs of economically marginalized families. The need and the opportunity to show ourselves strong have never been greater.”
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Faith in Public Life is a national movement of clergy and faith leaders united in the prophetic pursuit of justice, equality and the common good. Together, with a network of over 50,000 leaders, they are leading the fight to advance just policies at the state and federal level that affirms our values and the human dignity of all.