Ramsey, Graves Introduce Legislation Allowing Georgians to Purchase Health Insurance across State Lines...

ATLANTA—State Representative Matt Ramsey (R-Peachtree City) and State Representative Tom Graves (R-Ranger) have introduced legislation that provides Georgians with greater choices when it comes to purchasing health insurance coverage. Introduced last week, House Bill 1184 would allow Georgians to purchase health insurance policies across state lines.

“Health care reforms must be patient-centered, patient-driven and reduce costs. Reforms should create a market-based system that increases competition, drives down costs, increases accessibility, improves quality, and puts each patient in control of their own care,” said Graves. “This legislation does just that, all without creating a whole new government program and obligating trillions of taxpayers’ dollars.”

HB 1184 would allow Georgians to buy health plans that have been approved for sale in other states, as long as the insurer is also licensed in Georgia. Currently, Georgians can only purchase health insurance products that are sold within the state. This policy shift would provide Georgia families with more access to a variety of affordable insurance products.

This legislation is one of Governor Sonny Perdue’s top priorities. He first announced this proposal in January at the Eggs and Issues breakfast sponsored by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

“This legislation will open up the individual insurance market and allows consumers to find the plan that best fits their needs,” said Governor Perdue in a news release. “It will also help those that are uninsured find a plan that works for them.”

Ramsey and Graves introduced the legislation last week, along with Representatives Jim Cole (R-Forsyth), Jimmy Pruett (R-Eastman), Jeff May (R- Monroe) and Clay Cox (R-Lilburn).

“This legislation empowers Georgians to find a health insurance plan that meets the needs of their family,” said Representative Ramsey, one of Governor Perdue’s House floor leaders.

Conservatives in Washington have made this type of policy change one of their center pieces of reform in Congress. Their hope is to lower costs and increase access to insurance products. However, current law gives individual states the power to regulate which types of insurance policies are available for purchase.

Ramsey and Graves said they introduced the legislation because it is a free-market alternative to the government-centered reform bills which passed the U.S. House and Senate last year.

HB 1184 has been assigned to the House Committee on Insurance. More information about the legislation can be found by clicking here.