Georgia seeking ideas for federal Medicaid waiver proposals

Georgia is seeking proposals to develop a Medicaid waiver that Republican Gov. Brian Kemp says will make health care more affordable and accessible.

If approved by the federal government, the waiver would allow Georgia to expand Medicaid more conservatively than federal rules typically allow.

The Department of Community Health asked six consulting firms Monday to submit proposals for waivers addressing Georgia's Medicaid program and private health insurance. Officials are aiming to submit them to the federal government by the end of 2019.

A bill that Kemp signed in March gave his office wide leeway to seek a waiver that reshapes the state's health care system. Georgia is one of 14 states that haven't fully expanded Medicaid under the 2010 Affordable Care Act.