Some people know what Alysia Cutting is talking about when she brings up Medicaid unwinding as she moves from one community event to the next in southwest Georgia.
But for most of them, word of the renewal process starting up again – and the potential they could lose Medicaid coverage – is news to them.
Medicaid renewals are back after a three-year hiatus during the pandemic, when states were barred from kicking people off the public insurance program during the COVID-19 crisis.
And the yearlong process of determining the eligibility of all 2.7 million adults and children covered by Medicaid started last month could end with more than a half million Georgians losing coverage because they no longer qualify.
When she catches someone unaware, Cutting quickly fills them in on what’s happening, directs them to the state’s staycovered.ga.gov site and tries to convey a sense of urgency as she sends them on their way with a flier in English and Spanish.
“Please make sure you do this. It’s super, super important. It’s really urgent. Make sure you get this done,” Cutting, who is the rural health equity director with SOWEGA Rising, said of her message.
On a recent Saturday, Cutting was spreading the word at a health fair held at a public housing community in Albany, where a financial incentive was being offered for anyone who received their first COVID-19 vaccine or booster.
Most Sundays, you will find Cutting visiting places of worship in the area as she tries to work information about Medicaid redetermination into announcements to the congregation and into church bulletins. Another key strategy to reaching people in her corner of the state: Getting the information posted at barbershops, salons and other small businesses.
She attempts to amplify the message state agencies have been pushing for several months: Make sure your contact information is up to date in your Georgia Gateway account.
“People have moved. People…
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