Community leaders discuss Medicaid expansion, support Abrams

Aug. 01--ALBANY -- State Rep. Darrel Ealum and other community leaders hosted an informal news conference Tuesday afternoon at the Hilton Garden Inn to talk about their support for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams' plan to expand Medicaid.

Dougherty County Commissioners Gloria Gaines, Anthony Jones, John Hayes and Jon Howard were among those in attendance. The conference aligned with the week of Medicaid's 53rd anniversary.

Points brought up by multiple speakers included the state of health care in southwest Georgia and hospital closures in the state.

Dean Phinazee, a member of the Dougherty School Board, said, "Rural Georgia counties have been devastated simply because the Republicans put politics before Georgia. Sixty-eight percent of rural Georgians struggle with the cost of health care. Sixty-eight percent of Georgians worry about health care."

"As of today, with Millen, Ga., just closing (its hospital), that makes eight more hospitals that have been closed since 2010," Ealum said.

Dougherty County Coroner Michael Fowler said he supports Abrams' expansion plan because he often sees families going without health coverage.

"Many times, I go to families' houses and if you ask the family about (the deceased member's) medical history, many times they say they can't afford their medicine, they couldn't afford to go to the hospital," he said. "They'll let the medical insurance or health insurance, life insurance, go away in order just to survive now."

Delinda Bryant, a representative of the Albany Voters Coalition, raised concerns over uninsured workers.

"As we know, we have many people here in southwest Georgia that work yet do not have health insurance," she said. "With Stacey Abrams in the seat, our people who cannot afford health insurance will be taken care of."

A statement provided by Ealum expanded on his talking points.

"Expanding Medicaid guarantees 8 million federal dollars come into our state per day, which would give nearly 500,000 people health care access while also stimulating job growth," the statement reads. "Georgians want and need health care to be a priority this campaign season, and our candidate, Stacey Abrams, is the only candidate running for governor who is listening and putting these issues at the forefront. On the other hand, Brian Kemp has once again made it clear that he does not plan on helping Georgians most in need."

When Gaines put her support behind Abrams, she emphasized the state's changing demographics and the need for her constituents to be heard.

"I recognize that her candidacy is an uphill climb -- in the last gubernatorial elections, we were maybe within 200,000 votes of taking the governorship, and Georgia has been trending purple," Gaines said. "The trend, combined with the enthusiasm around her candidacy, I think will take us over the top. I look forward to working toward that goal, working toward her winning this election. It's so important to my constituency here in Dougherty County.

"We have folks in Dougherty County who are just in need. We are just tired of the needs of our folks just being ignored. I just look forward to (Abrams) winning this election and us getting on with the business of taking care of our citizens who are in need."

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