FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 23, 2026

CONTACT: press@keishaforgovernor.com

Bottoms: ‘Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have Increased Health Care Premiums for more than 1.5 million Georgians By Refusing to Extend the ACA Subsidies’

ATLANTA — Today, Democratic candidate for governor Keisha Lance Bottoms released the following statement marking the 16th anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Nearly 1.5 million Georgians’ health care premiums have spiked this year following Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress refusing to extend ACA subsidies.

“Sixteen years ago, President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act to provide security for families by giving more Americans access to affordable health care coverage that actually worked for them. The ACA’s new incentives led 41 states to expand Medicaid – but Georgia remains one of the few states to have ignored this critical tool. That decision has cost hundreds of thousands of Georgians access to life-saving care, it’s caused the closure of 9 rural hospitals in our state, and Georgia has left $700 million from the federal government on the table. As governor, I will deliver on the promise of the Affordable Care Act by finally expanding Medicaid to provide coverage for 300,000 Georgians and to keep our rural hospitals open.

“As I’m traveling across the state, I’m hearing horror stories from Georgians who are struggling to afford their health care premiums because they have doubled or tripled in price. That’s because Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have increased health care premiums for more than 1.5 million Georgians by refusing to extend the ACA subsidies. We need to take action to lower premium costs. My priority on day one will be lowering health care costs for Georgia families, expanding Medicaid and access to affordable health care, and protecting Georgia’s rural hospitals.”

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