Wednesday, February 12, 2003
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Wednesday, February 12, 2003 |
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Senate to act on health benefits plan By MITCH SEABAUGH The activity here at the Capitol has definitely picked up. Committees have begun work on legislation and [this] week we should see some significant bills come to the Senate floor for debate. Of those bills most likely see Senate action [this] week, Senate bills 50 and 53 are the most significant. SB 50 is the Georgia Consumer Choice of Benefits Health Insurance Plan Act, a bill I authored. This would allow insurance companies to offer insurance plans to small businesses and individuals, giving them the freedom to choose their benefits. The bill does not get rid of any mandates, but instead allows the opportunity to choose which benefits you wish to have in your insurance plan. This will allow for lower, more affordable premiums that will help more people access health insurance. Senate Bill 53, sponsored by Sen. Cheeks, addresses the issues with the Georgia Fair Lending Act. The Act, passed last session, has caused more than 20 lenders to leave the state. Many people have been unable to close loans or get equity out of their homes due to these lenders refusing to do business in the state. While I support dealing harshly with predatory lenders, the act passed last year went too far and has hurt the people it was intended to help. Both SB 50 and SB 53 should provide for some lively debate [this] week on the Senate floor, but action will not be limited to floor action. The Senate Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee will take up Senate Bill 91, which establishes principles to be adhered to when drawing district maps. SB 91 would require districts be as compact as possible, recognize county, city and precinct lines and would take out political information as a part of the process. [Last] week was full of appropriation subcommittee meetings. We are still working to find cuts in our state budget that make sense. We are looking at as much information as we can digest on state spending, reserve funds and programs. I have been focusing my efforts on healthcare, including Medicare. Working with consultants along with House and Senate colleagues we have identified between $50 million and $75 million savings from restructuring plans and additional insurance options for state employees. We will continue to work to save the taxpayers' money. It has been very busy here
at the Capitol and it will get even busier, but your comments are most
important to me. Please feel free to call my office at 404-656-6446 or
e-mail me at GaSenate28
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