¶ Overview
As a member of the Georgia General Assembly, Brian Strickland repeatedly voted for measures that made it difficult for Georgians to access health care.
After refusing to say whether he supported or opposed Medicaid expansion, Strickland voted for Governor Kemp’s “Patients First Act” in 2019, which allowed for a limited Medicaid expansion and imposed work requirements for recipients. The legislation allowed for the creation of Kemp’s Georgia Pathways to Coverage, which Kemp’s office acknowledged would leave more than 400,000 Georgians uninsured. As of March 2026, only 16,183 Georgians were enrolled in the program, less than the 90,000 that Kemp’s aides predicted for 2023-2024.
In 2014, Strickland voted to require legislative approval before Georgia could expand Medicaid, rather than just the governor’s approval, and voted to prohibit the use of state funds to advocate for Medicaid expansion.
In 2014, Strickland scrutinized liberals’ platforms for including “more Obamacare” and voted to make Georgia non-compliant with the Affordable Care Act and prohibit state and local agencies from creating a health insurance exchange or insurance navigator program. In 2026, more than 1.3 million Georgians were enrolled in Affordable Care Act Marketplace health insurance plans.
¶ Brian Strickland Voted For Kemp’s Limited Medicaid Expansion Program That Left Hundreds Of Thousands Of Georgians Without Health Care And Repeatedly Voted To Make It More Difficult For Georgia To Expand Medicaid
¶ Strickland Voted For Kemp’s Limited Medicaid Expansion Program, Which Included Strict Work Requirements And Left Hundreds Of Thousands Of Georgians Without Health Care
¶ Strickland Voted For Governor Kemp’s “Patients First Act,” Which Allowed For A Restrictive Medicaid Expansion In Georgia And Imposed Work Requirements For Recipients
2019: Strickland Voted For Governor Kemp’s “Patients First Act,” Which Allowed For A Restrictive Medicaid Expansion In Georgia And Imposed Work Requirements For Recipients. In 2019, according to the Georgia General Assembly, Strickland voted for S.B. 106, ‘“Patients First Act’.” According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “Monday, Gov. Brian Kemp met with his top health leaders in a public roundtable discussion to tout the work accomplished under his first major initiative, the 2019 Patients First Act, and the challenges ahead. The Act’s three major changes to state health policy have all rolled out now. They allowed Georgia to expand Medicaid without a blanket invitation to all poor adults, allowed Georgia to subsidize the Affordable Care Act marketplace for higher-income policyholders, and allows the state to substitute state management of the Affordable Care Act marketplace for federal. […] Unlike 40 other states, Georgia does not automatically give health insurance to poor adults. Kemp instead devised a unique program to offer Medicaid to those who meet certain requirements, such as working for an employer 80 hours a month, attending certain amounts of college, or other activities. Activities such as caring for one’s own children full-time does not count.” The Georgia Senate passed the legislation 32 to 20. The Georgia House passed the bill and the bill ultimately became law. [Georgia General Assembly – S.B. 106 (2019), Effective 3/27/19; Georgia Senate Vote 65, 2/26/19; Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 8/20/24]
¶ Kemp’s Proposal For A Restrictive Medicaid Expansion Would Leave More Than 400,000 Georgians Uninsured And Enrolled Only 4,300 Uninsured Georgians Instead Of The 90,000 That Kemp Aides Forecasted In The First Year
2021: Kemp’s Office Acknowledged That His Limited Medicaid Expansion Would Leave More Than 400,000 Georgians Uninsured. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “It would have allowed perhaps as many as 50,000 poor and uninsured adults to be added to the Medicaid rolls within two years. Still, Kemp’s office estimated that more than 400,000 people would not meet the Medicaid requirements and would be left uninsured.” [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 12/23/21]
- 2021: Kemp Proposed His “Fiscally Conservative” Expansion Of Medicaid Which Only Expanded Coverage To 50,000 People. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution “President Joe Biden’s administration rejected Gov. Brian Kemp’s plan to provide Medicaid coverage to thousands of low-income and uninsured adults in Georgia who meet a work requirement, gutting the centerpiece of the Republican’s health care policy on the cusp of an election year. […] Kemp made the plan his answer to Democratic calls to expand Medicaid, casting it as a ‘fiscally conservative’ way to add more needy recipients to Georgia’s rolls. […] It would have allowed perhaps as many as 50,000 poor and uninsured adults to be added to the Medicaid rolls within two years.” [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 12/23/21]
June 2023-2024: Georgia Pathways To Coverage, Kemp’s Limited Medicaid Expansion Program, Fell Short In Its First Year, Enrolling Only 4,300 Uninsured Georgians Instead Of The 90,000 That Kemp Aides Forecasted. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “Kemp’s remarks came as preliminary figures suggest that Kemp’s limited Medicaid expansion has fallen well short of its goals in its debut year. The program, called Georgia Pathways to Coverage, on June 30 completed its first 12 months of enrolling poor, uninsured adults on Medicaid. Enrollees must show they have worked 80 hours a month, or attended certain types of school. Figures as of mid-June released by a nonprofit group that favors expansion, the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, show that as Pathways neared its first full year, it had enrolled 4,300 people — that’s a fraction of the 90,000 uninsured Georgians that Kemp aides forecasted would be helped.” [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 7/11/24]
¶ Georgia Was The Only State With An Active Work Requirements System For Medicaid Eligibility
Georgia Was The Only State With An Active Work Requirements System For Medicaid Eligibility Which Required Recipients To Report Their Working Hours Once A Month. According to NPR, “Now that Republicans' big tax-and-spending bill has become law, there will be new bureaucratic hurdles for millions of Americans who rely on Medicaid. The new law contains a provision that in most states, for the first time, low-income adults will have to start meeting work requirements to keep their health coverage. Some states have already tried this, but Georgia is the only state that currently has an active system using work requirements to establish Medicaid eligibility — and recipients must report to the system once a month.” [NPR, 7/28/25]
¶ As Of March 31, 2026, 16,183 Georgians Were Enrolled In Georgia Pathways
As Of March 31, 2026, 16,183 Georgians Were Enrolled In Georgia Pathways. According to Georgia Pathways, as of March 31, 2026, 16,183 individuals were enrolled in Georgia Pathways.
[Georgia Pathways, Accessed 4/23/26]
¶ Strickland Refused To Answer Whether He Supported Medicaid Expansion
VoteSmart 2018 Political Courage Test: Strickland Refused To Answer Whether He Supported Medicaid Expansion, Claiming There “May Be Ways” For Georgia To Consider Waivers That Would Bring In Federal Funding “Without A Full Blown, Unrestricted Expansion.” According to Strickland’s answers to VoteSmart’s 2018 Political Courage Test, “Medicaid expansion is not a yes or no because there may be ways for us to consider waivers that may allow us to bring more federal dollars home to Georgia without a full blown, unrestricted expansion.”
[VoteSmart, Brian Strickland – 2018 Political Courage Test, Archived 4/21/26]
¶ Strickland Voted For Legislation That Made It More Difficult For Georgia To Expand Medicaid
¶ Strickland Voted To Require Legislative Approval Before Georgia Could Expand Medicaid, Rather Than Just The Governor’s Approval
2014: Strickland Voted To Require Legislative Approval Before Georgia Could Expand Medicaid, Rather Than Just The Governor’s Approval. In 2014, according to the Georgia General Assembly, Strickland voted for H.B. 990, “Social services; expansion of Medicaid eligibility through increase in income threshold without prior legislative approval; prohibit” According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “State lawmakers are considering House Bill 990, which would give them, rather than Deal, the power to expand Medicaid. Supporters of expansion say the bill would create another barrier to low-income Georgians getting the health care they need. The state, they say, can’t afford to pass up the more than $30 billion in new federal funding expansion would bring.” The Georgia House passed and adopted the legislation by substitute 118 to 57. The Georgia Senate passed the bill and the bill was ultimately signed into law. [Georgia General Assembly – H.B. 990 (2014), Effective 7/1/14; Georgia House Vote 678, 3/3/14; Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 3/10/14]
¶ Strickland Voted To Make Georgia Non-Compliant With The Affordable Care Act And Prohibit The Use Of State Funds To Advocate For Medicaid Expansion
2014: Strickland Voted To Make Georgia Non-Compliant With The Affordable Care Act And Prohibit The Use Of State Funds To Advocate For Medicaid Expansion. In 2014, according to the Georgia General Assembly, Strickland voted for H.B. 707, “The Georgia Health Care Freedom and ACA Noncompliance Act.” According to 13 WMAZ, “In a 115-59 vote Monday night, the state House of Representatives passed House Bill 707. That's the Georgia Health Care Freedom and ACA Non-Compliance Act. The bill's sponsor, Representative Jason Spencer, told 13WMAZ the bill's passing is a victory for Georgians. ‘We are protecting state resources from being commandeered by the federal government,’ Spencer said. He says the Affordable Care Act can only be successful with states assisting it, and that Georgia won't comply with a federal law it doesn't support. ‘This is essentially non-compliance. We're not going to help this law get off the ground. It's a terrible law, and it's okay to say no to a bad idea, and that's what 707 does,’ Spencer said. The bill would end programs like UGA Health Navigators, which help people sign up for health insurance under the federal exchange. ‘The federal government is using our brand, our cooperative extension services network to advocate a policy that Georgia opposes,’ he said. HB 707 also prohibits the state from running its own insurance exchange. Under the law, state agencies or departments would not be allowed to use state funds to advocate for Medicaid expansion. Currently, Governor Nathan Deal has the sole authority to expand Medicaid in the state, but the bill would require that expansion to be approved by the legislature.” The Georgia House passed and adopted the legislation by substitute 115 to 59. The Georgia Senate did not take substantive action on the bill. [Georgia General Assembly – H.B. 707 (2014), Pre-Filed 12/16/13; Georgia House Vote 685, 3/3/14; 13 WMAZ, 3/4/14]
¶ Brian Strickland Voted To Make Georgia Non-Compliant With The Affordable Care Act In 2014, Which Would Have Harmed The More Than 1.3 Million Georgians Who Relied On ACA Plans In 2026
¶ Strickland Voted To Make Georgia Non-Compliant With The Affordable Care Act And Bar The Creation Of A Health Insurance Exchange Or Insurance Navigator Program
¶ Strickland Voted To Make Georgia Non-Compliant With The Affordable Care Act
2014: Strickland Voted To Make Georgia Non-Compliant With The Affordable Care Act And Prohibit The Use Of State Funds To Advocate For Medicaid Expansion. In 2014, according to the Georgia General Assembly, Strickland voted for H.B. 707, “The Georgia Health Care Freedom and ACA Noncompliance Act.” According to 13 WMAZ, “In a 115-59 vote Monday night, the state House of Representatives passed House Bill 707. That's the Georgia Health Care Freedom and ACA Non-Compliance Act. The bill's sponsor, Representative Jason Spencer, told 13WMAZ the bill's passing is a victory for Georgians. ‘We are protecting state resources from being commandeered by the federal government,’ Spencer said. He says the Affordable Care Act can only be successful with states assisting it, and that Georgia won't comply with a federal law it doesn't support. ‘This is essentially non-compliance. We're not going to help this law get off the ground. It's a terrible law, and it's okay to say no to a bad idea, and that's what 707 does,’ Spencer said. The bill would end programs like UGA Health Navigators, which help people sign up for health insurance under the federal exchange. ‘The federal government is using our brand, our cooperative extension services network to advocate a policy that Georgia opposes,’ he said. HB 707 also prohibits the state from running its own insurance exchange. Under the law, state agencies or departments would not be allowed to use state funds to advocate for Medicaid expansion. Currently, Governor Nathan Deal has the sole authority to expand Medicaid in the state, but the bill would require that expansion to be approved by the legislature.” The Georgia House passed and adopted the legislation by substitute 115 to 59. The Georgia Senate did not take substantive action on the bill. [Georgia General Assembly – H.B. 707 (2014), Pre-Filed 12/16/13; Georgia House Vote 685, 3/3/14; 13 WMAZ, 3/4/14]
- The Bill Also Would Have Restricted State And Local Agencies From Creating A Health Insurance Exchange Or Insurance Navigator Program. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “A second bill also targeting Obamacare, House Bill 707, would bar any state or local government or agency in Georgia from creating a health insurance exchange or insurance navigator program. Both bills have passed the House and are up for debate in the state Senate.” [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 3/10/14]
¶ Strickland Previously Scrutinized Liberals’ Platform For Including “More Obamacare”
2014: Strickland Scrutinized Liberals’ Platform For Including “More Obamacare.” According to Brian Strickland’s Facebook, “Liberals have a plan for Georgia: more Obamacare, higher taxes, and fewer jobs. Make a decision today that represents what your heart is telling you is right; vote to protect your values. It's up to you whether we keep moving forward or not. #ElectStrickland”
[Facebook, Brian Strickland, 11/4/14]
¶ 2026: More Than 1.3 Million Georgians Were Enrolled In An Affordable Care Act Marketplace Plan
2026: 1,324,295 Georgians Were Enrolled In An Affordable Care Act Marketplace Plan. According to KFF, in 2026, there were 1,324,295 individuals enrolled in Affordable Care Act marketplace plan in Georgia.
[KFF, Accessed 4/23/26]
¶ The Affordable Care Act Allowed States To Expand Medicaid, Which Dramatically Lowered The Uninsured Rate Among Low-Income Workers
The Affordable Care Act Allowed States To Expand Medicaid, And States That Expanded Medicaid Dramatically Lowered The Number Of People Without Health Insurance. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, "The Affordable Care Act (ACA) permits states to expand Medicaid coverage to adults with incomes up to 138 percent of the poverty level (about $20,780 annually for an individual or $35,630 for a family of three). States that have adopted the expansion have dramatically lowered their uninsured rates. Extensive research finds that the people who gained coverage have grown healthier and more financially secure, while long-standing racial inequities in health outcomes, coverage, and access to care have shrunk." [Center On Budget And Policy Priorities, 6/14/24]
- The Uninsured Rate Among Low-Income Workers Fell From 38 Percent In 2013 To 17 Percent In 2022, Which Coincided With Implementation Of Medicaid Expansion. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, "Millions of workers have gained coverage through Medicaid expansion, including people working in industries that provide critical goods and services such as health care, transportation, grocery stores, food manufacturers, and child care. Many have no access to health coverage through their jobs. In expansion states, the uninsured rate among low-income workers fell from 38 percent in 2013 to 17 percent in 2022; this sharp decline coincided with a large increase in the share of low-income workers enrolled in Medicaid.[16] In non-expansion states, the uninsured rate among low-income workers fell much less, from 46 percent to 31 percent. (See Figure 3.)" [Center On Budget And Policy Priorities, 6/14/24]