Georgia’s decision not to expand Medicaid in 2012 has left rural and urban hospitals in a fragile position. Five rural hospitals have already closed their doors since 2013, and many more face potential financial collapse once federal reimbursements – known as Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments – are phased out by January 2018. This issue has led to a statewide alliance of hospital officials, state lawmakers, and healthcare advocates to come together and find a solution before it’s too late. 

"There are about 300,000 Georgians right now who fall into this gap and have no way to get ... the spectrum of preventative and treatment services they need for themselves and their families to stay healthy." - Cindy Zeldin, Executive Director of Georgians for a Healthy Future

We speak with Atlanta Magazine staff writer Max Blau, Georgia Chamber CEO and President Chris Clark, and Memorial Health CEO and President Maggie Gill about efforts to find an alternative to Medicaid expansion and the possible consequences if left unresolved.