Perdue Signs Healthcare Reform

Governor Sonny Perdue has signed two key pieces of legislation to address the needs of Georgia’s uninsured patients. House hill 997 and Senate Bill 383, both authored by Sen. Judson Hill (R-Marietta), will insure more Georgia citizens by expanding the availability and affordability of healthcare insurance.

“Georgians are suffering from sky-rocketing health care 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.”

House Bill 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.

Senate Bill 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 HSA 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.”

Pictured with Gov. Perdue in photo from left: Rep. Tom Knox (R-Cumming); Sen. Judson Hill (R-Marietta); Rep. Mickey Channell (R-Greensboro); Newt Gingrich; and Rep. Jan Jones (R-Milton).