Senate · Introduced · 2025-2026 Regular Session

SB379: SB379 "Georgia Health Insurance Affordability and Consumer Protection Act"; enact

Last action January 13, 2026 · Senate Read and Referred

A Georgia Senate bill would direct the Department of Insurance to build a state health insurance affordability program, offering premium help and cost-sharing subsidies if federal ACA tax credits are not restored.

In plain language

Enhanced federal premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act expired on December 31, 2025, raising health insurance costs for many Georgians, especially those earning under 250 percent of the federal poverty level. This bill, called the Georgia Health Insurance Affordability and Consumer Protection Act, responds by adding a new section to Georgia's insurance code (O.C.G.A. § 33-24-59.37) that requires the Department of Insurance to design an affordability program by September 30, 2026. The program would include state premium subsidies for people earning up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level, added cost-sharing reductions for those under 250 percent, and a no-premium state funded plan for people under 200 percent of the poverty level. The department must convene a stakeholder group, study funding options, and report to the Governor and General Assembly on several deadlines through 2026. The program only takes effect January 1, 2027, if Congress and the President have not restored the expired federal tax credits by then, and the new Code section automatically repeals on December 31, 2031.

What the bill does

Adds a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 33-24-59.37) requiring the Department of Insurance to create a state health insurance affordability program by September 30, 2026.
Requires state premium subsidies for people earning up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level to replace or supplement lost federal tax credits.
Creates added cost-sharing reductions, like lower deductibles and copayments, for people earning under 250 percent of the federal poverty level.
Establishes a no-premium, state funded health plan for people earning under 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
Makes the whole program effective only if Congress and the President fail to restore the expired federal enhanced premium tax credits, and repeals the section automatically on December 31, 2031.
Requires a stakeholder working group, a fiscal impact analysis, annual reports starting in 2028, and a full program evaluation by 2030.

Who it affects

Low- and middle-income Georgians who buy coverage through Georgia Access, including rural residents, small business owners, and gig workers who lost premium tax credits; the Department of Insurance, which must build and run the program; health insurers offering marketplace plans; and the Governor and General Assembly, who receive multiple required reports.

Why it matters

If federal premium tax credits are not restored, Georgians buying marketplace coverage could see state-funded help with premiums and out-of-pocket costs, including a no-premium plan option for the lowest earners, changing what health coverage costs for many households starting in 2027.

Key provisions

Section 2 lists legislative findings, including that expired federal premium tax credits are raising costs for Georgians under 250 percent of the federal poverty level.
Section 3 adds O.C.G.A. § 33-24-59.37, defining terms like 'affordability program,' 'cost-sharing reductions,' and 'Georgia Access.'
Subsection (b) requires the department to build the affordability program by September 30, 2026, with subsidies, cost-sharing help, and a no-premium plan tier.
Subsection (c) and (d) require a stakeholder working group by August 1, 2026, and a plan submitted to the Governor and General Assembly by September 30, 2026.
Subsection (f) requires a fiscal impact analysis and funding recommendations, including possible charges on insurers, due by September 1, 2026.
Subsection (g) requires annual reports to the General Assembly starting January 1, 2028, on enrollment, impact, and recommended changes.
Subsection (j) makes the program effective January 1, 2027 only if federal enhanced premium tax credits are not restored by then.
Subsection (k) automatically repeals the new Code section on December 31, 2031.

From the bill

“This Code section shall stand repealed on December 31, 2031.”
This automatically ends the new law's provisions on that date unless the legislature acts again.

Status timeline

2026-01-13Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2026-01-12Senate Hopper (Senate)

Topics

health insurance
Affordable Care Act
premium tax credits
insurance affordability
Georgia Access