Governor Perdue signs key healthcare reform initiatives
May 14, 2008    Senator Judson Hill (R-Marietta)   

Senate Press Office, Press Release
For Immediate Release: May 7, 2008
For Information Contact: Jeremy Arieh, Deputy Director, or
Ravae Graham, Communications Specialist
ravae.graham@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028

Governor Perdue signs key healthcare reform initiatives

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue has signed two key pieces of legislation to address the needs of Georgia’s uninsured patients. Authored by Sen. Judson Hill (R-Marietta), Senate Bill 383 and House Bill 977 will insure more Georgia citizens by expanding the availability and affordability of healthcare insurance.

“Georgians are suffering from sky-rocketing healthcare and insurance costs,” said Sen. Hill. “Governor Perdue’s signature makes Georgia the first state to deliver a patient-centered, prevention-focused free market solution that will provide greater financial security to thousands of working families through more affordable health insurance.”

HB 977 exempts insurers from state premium taxes on the sale of high deductible health plans with a Health Savings Account (HSA), while allowing deductions from state income taxes in the amount equal to premiums paid to an HSA plan. The legislation will allow HSA plans to be fast tracked for approval, exempt from the ban on rebates and allow insurers to reward members that make healthy lifestyle choices by enrolling in an HSA plan.

SB 383 also focuses on rewarding and providing financial initiatives to those making healthy living choices and participating in wellness programs. The legislation has several provisions, including income tax deductions and small business tax incentives to make HSAs coupled with health insurance more affordable and available in the Georgia insurance market.

Together, HB 977 and SB 383 include numerous tax benefits for working families. Sen. Hill applauds the united efforts of an unprecedented collaboration of doctors, insurance companies, insurance agents and hospitals that have worked together for months to bring this needed relief to uninsured Georgians.

“I’ve been fighting hard to pass this legislation for the past two years,” added Sen. Hill. “Now lives will be saved and hard-working families will have access to more affordable healthcare.”

Sen. Judson Hill serves as Chairman of Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee and the Republican Caucus Vice Chairman. He has also served as the chairman of the Senate Healthcare Transformation Study Committee since 2006. He represents the 32nd Senate District which includes portions of Cobb and Fulton counties. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0150 or by e-mail at judson.hill@senate.ga.gov.

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