(The Center Square) – Georgia is one of 10 states that did not expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, and Democrats running for governor want to change that.
Healthcare and affordability dominated the Atlanta Press Club debates among Democrats.
Olu Brown proposed using part of the state surplus to create a premium relief fund that would give families a 15% discount on monthly insurance premiums.
“I am a small business owner and as of January of this year, our family’s monthly healthcare premium is now more than our monthly mortgage,” Brown said. “It is catastrophic to our family and it’s catastrophic for families across Georgia.”
State Rep. Derrick Jackson also said he would use the state’s $14.3 billion surplus.
“Let’s take at least $2 billion of those dollars and infuse it to keep these hospitals from closing,” Jackson said. “There are 13 hospitals on the brink of closing right now.”
Former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, running for governor as a Democrat, said the party needs to work with the Legislature to expand Medicaid.
“Look, I’ve explored every route possible to improve our state’s healthcare system and you can’t do it without expanding Medicaid,” Duncan said.
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said she would ensure state agencies are prepared to expand Medicaid on Day 1 of her administration. She also wants to increase eligibility to 138% of the poverty level.
Candidates also talked about taxes during the debate.
Former Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said his first priority if elected is to cut the state sales tax by 50%.
“The most regressive tax we have in Georgia is the sales tax,” Thurmond said. “It’s literally taking money out of the pockets of men and women every day.”
Amanda Duffy said she would end the state’s flat income tax system and return it to the previous tiered bracket system.
“We need to update those brackets and tax accordingly because everyone being taxed at the same percentage, regardless of whether you make $50,000 annually or $250,000 annually, I don’t believe that is fair,” Duffy said.
Former state Sen. Jason Esteves said he would cut 2.5 billion in data center tax breaks, which is about $500 per taxpayer, he said.
“I would also work with cities and counties to cut property taxes,” Esteves said, citing his work as a state senator to cut up to $1,000 off of senior citizens’ taxes from the Atlanta Public Schools.
Jackson questioned Duncan about his party switch.
“There was a lot of pain you created while you were in office,” Jackson said. “And so I want to know why you feel like you’re entitled to run for governor as a Democrat?”
“Well, I certainly wouldn’t describe anything I am doing as entitled,” said Duncan, who served as lieutenant governor from 2019-23. “I don’t talk about excuses. I don’t say I hit the wrong button or I read the wrong memo. I made mistakes as a lieutenant governor.”
Three Democratic candidates want to take Duncan’s former job and put a Democrat in the lieutenant governor’s office for the first time in a decade.
Sen. Josh McLaurin and former Sen. Nabilah Parkes sparred over Parkes’ late entry into the race after first declaring herself as a candidate for state insurance commissioner.
“When Ms. Parkes says she wants to run a campaign, all she means is fundraising, and I am not sure how well that’s going,” McLaurin said.
Parkes said she had a story that is Georgia’s story that would connect with voters.
“I’m the daughter of working-class immigrants,” Parkes said. “My family went from low-wage job to low-wage job to put food on the table. I know I can flip the seat.”
Political newcomer Richard Wright said Democrats have not won the majority because they have been fighting each other.
“I’m a moderate Democrat and I believe in working across the aisle, but still, we have to speak truth to power when it comes to our Republican friends,” Wright said. “I want to have bipartisanship on all bills. I’m going to speak with Speaker Burns weekly about how we move legislation forward, not for the ‘D’ or the ‘R’ but for the people of Georgia.”
Early voting for the May 19 primary continues through May 15.
