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SR 344

Senate Study Committee on a Single-payer Healthcare Program; create

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kim Jackson and 4 co-sponsors

Senate Resolution 344 creates a committee to explore a single-payer healthcare system in Georgia, aiming to reduce the 300,000 uninsured residents and improve healthcare access.

Senate Read and Referred
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Bill Summary · SR 344

Summary of Senate Resolution 344

Bill Information

  • Bill Number: SR 344
  • Title: Senate Study Committee on a Single-payer Healthcare Program; create
  • Status: Senate Read and Referred
  • Introduced: March 04, 2025
  • Classification: Resolution

Purpose and Intent

Senate Resolution 344 aims to establish a Senate Study Committee focused on exploring the feasibility and implications of implementing a single-payer healthcare system in Georgia. This initiative is prompted by the recognition of gaps in the current healthcare system, particularly the refusal to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which has left approximately 300,000 Georgians uninsured.

Key Provisions

  1. Creation of the Committee:

    • A Senate Study Committee on a Single-payer Healthcare Program is established to investigate the potential for a single-payer healthcare system in Georgia.

  2. Membership:

    • The committee will consist of:
      • Five members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate.
      • The commissioner of public health or their designee.
      • The commissioner of community health or their designee.
      • The commissioner of behavioral health and developmental disabilities or their designee.
    • The President of the Senate will appoint a legislative member as the chairperson.

  3. Powers and Duties:

    • The committee is tasked with studying the conditions, needs, and issues related to healthcare in Georgia and making recommendations for legislative action as deemed necessary.

  4. Meetings:

    • The chairperson will call meetings at times and locations deemed necessary for the committee to fulfill its objectives.

  5. Allowances and Funding:

    • Legislative members will receive allowances as per Georgia law, while state officials and employees will not receive compensation but may be reimbursed for expenses incurred during their service on the committee.

  6. Reporting:

    • The committee must file a report with findings and recommendations before its abolishment on December 1, 2025. Reports require majority approval from the committee to be filed.

  7. Abolishment:

    • The committee is set to be abolished on December 1, 2025, unless extended or modified by further legislative action.

Impact

The establishment of this committee could lead to significant changes in Georgia's healthcare landscape. By investigating the potential for a single-payer system, the committee aims to address the high number of uninsured residents and improve overall healthcare outcomes in the state. The findings could influence future legislation and healthcare policy in Georgia, potentially aligning it more closely with systems in other developed countries that utilize single-payer models.

Timeline

  • March 4, 2025: Bill introduced and placed in the Senate hopper.
  • March 6, 2025: Bill read and referred to the appropriate Senate committee for further consideration.

This resolution represents a critical step towards evaluating and potentially reforming Georgia's healthcare system to better serve its residents.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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