Legislative Session Week 3
Medicaid Expansion is Dead
January 29, 2024
For a few weeks there was a glimmer of hope that Republicans had finally come around on Medicaid expansion– a decision that would have led to transformational improvements in health outcomes for Georgians. Democrats have been pushing for this policy change for over a decade.
This week we were devastated to learn this year will not be the year. Our leadership let us know that Governor Kemp communicated he would veto Medicaid expansion if it got to his desk. I am not being hyperbolic to say this decision means a death sentence for some Georgians.
It’s an election year – Republicans won’t give Democrats even a perceived win if it means it will diminish their chances for re-election. This is, and will continue to be, a theme throughout the 2024 legislative session.
Being in the minority party, my colleagues and I don’t have the votes to force our policy preferences through like the Republicans do, but we do have our voices. And we will continue to let Georgians know which party is continually putting politics over people.
There was a lot going on this week under the Gold Dome. This edition of the Draper Paper will cover the following topics.
Behind the Scenes: Republicans throw a temper tantrum because Democrats continue to highlight Georgia’s Maternal Mortality Rates
My Appearance on Lawmakers to Discuss Elections
House Bill 30 - Definition of Antisemitism
Reproductive Freedom Committee Hearing
Advocacy Groups at the Capitol
Behind the Scenes: Republicans throw a temper tantrum because Democrats continue to highlight Georgia’s Maternal Mortality Rates
Since our committee hearing at the beginning of January, Democrats have been keeping Georgia’s abysmal record on maternal mortality front and center by speaking about it from the well during legislative session. My colleagues have shared insightful words, compelling statistics, and personal stories. In case you missed it, here are my remarks from the first week of the session.
This is not a partisan issue. We will happily work with Republicans to improve outcomes for Georgia’s moms and babies. So it has been very interesting to see how defensive Republicans have been in response to the data and our advocacy for specific policy changes.
Republicans were so unhappy with our advocacy, they asked us to stand down and stop delivering daily remarks.
When that didn’t happen, they punched back by sending one of their own to the well to claim that Republicans are protecting moms and babies. Her remarks were defensive and deeply partisan. She accused Democrats of not offering solutions even though we had already distributed an evidence-based report – including specific bills with the policy solutions we seek – to every member of the legislature.
If Republicans have done so much to address maternal mortality, why does Georgia still have one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country—almost twice the national rate? Why are we not expanding Medicaid? Why are we restricting women’s access to critical health care such as abortions?
Georgia can, and should, do better.
My Appearance on Lawmakers to Discuss Elections
Elections are a big issue this year. There has already been a lot of committee-level activity on changes to how we vote, and I’ve been tracking it closely. I was invited to the Georgia Public Broadcasting studios last week to give my take on some election bills. You can watch the clip here (My segment begins at 8:10).
My key point is that when someone says they are changing election policy to increase election security and/or give voters more confidence in the election, that is a big red flag. We already have secure elections – Republicans love to tout Georgia’s number two ranking on the Heritage Foundation’s Election Integrity Scorecard. And it is not appropriate to have election deniers drive election policy. For them, nothing short of saying Donald Trump won the 2020 election will be enough. We can’t compromise access to the franchise for these illegitimate and pretextual rationales.
House Bill 30 - Definition of Antisemitism
Last Thursday, the General Assembly passed HB 30, which defines antisemitism and allows state agencies to consider the definition when enforcing anti-discrimination laws. I voted in support of the bill.
Because I had constituents reach out to me both in support of and against HB 30, I want to explain the thinking behind my vote.
Anti-Semitic activity is on the rise, and it has hit close to home. Disgusting, hateful flyers were left in driveways in my district, HD 90, just last year.
HB 30 will help to protect a population that is being targeted. I voted yes because I believe that offering support and clarity in the law to those who are being discriminated against makes us stronger and safer.
Furthermore, HB 30 explicitly states that nothing in the bill infringes on First Amendment rights. HB 30 does not criminalize protesting the war in Gaza or criticizing Israel or its policies in the way one might criticize any other nation.
That being said, I understand this vote is not occurring in a vacuum. There is a war happening in Gaza. And while for me personally this vote was narrow in focus and wasn’t about taking a stance on events in the Middle East, I acknowledge that much of the concern around HB 30 is tied to the very real facts that Islamophobia is on the rise in Georgia too, and that Republicans in the General Assembly have shown overt support for Israel in the war without so much as acknowledging the tragedies and injustices happening to the Palestinian people.
Would it be better to broaden the protected groups to account for other minorities who are under attack here in Georgia? Yes, and I hope that we can continue to fight together to make that a reality.
As a woman of color, of Pakistani heritage, and steeped in the challenging history of our state with respect to racial and religious hatred and persecution, I want to let those who shared their concerns about HB 30 with me that I take your concerns to heart.
We will remain vigilant and carefully watch how this legislation is implemented. We must ensure that the definition is not weaponized or misapplied to expressions of peaceful protest. We must ensure that the application of HB 30 is limited to its stated, intended purpose: to shield vulnerable Georgians, and not to attack another set of vulnerable Georgians.
I’ll close out with a copy of the statement the AAPI caucus issued late last year. I welcome additional dialogue on these issues.
Reproductive Freedom Committee Meeting
Democrats held another committee hearing this week, this time to focus on reproductive freedom. I was honored to sit on the committee. We heard from women and healthcare providers about the obstacles created by Georgia’s restrictions on abortion access.
This is another in a series of sessions hosted by Democrats because Republicans refuse to hold official hearings on issues that Democrats – and the majority of Georgians – care deeply about. (We’ve also hosted discussions of maternal mortality and Medicaid expansion.)
To make plain how badly they don’t want us highlighting these matters, Republican leadership refused to allow us to hold our hearing at the Capitol – the people’s house – even though there were rooms available. We were forced to rent space at the Presbyterian church down the street.
A big thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge and experiences. We are committed to getting the truth out.
Advocacy Groups at the Capitol
The Capitol was absolutely bustling this week! In photos, here are some highlights. Thank you to those who spoke with me about the issues you care about!
In service,
