Ensure stable health coverage for young children and parents

Enact multi-year continuous Medicaid eligibility for children from birth through age five

The first years of life represent a period of rapid growth. Early identification of developmental delays during this period is critical for remediating potential concerns, and regular visits to the pediatrician support children’s lifelong health.

To support the continuity of preventive care (e.g., well-child visits, immunizations, disability screenings) and sick care in the critical early years, while also decreasing the administrative burden for the state, policymakers should consider eliminating Medicaid renewals for children from birth through age five. This will improve the quality of care for the nearly 50% of Georgia’s children whose births are covered by Medicaid.