State leaders continue to say they won't expand Georgia's Medicaid program under the new Affordable Care Act.  On Wednesday, November 6, 2013, a select state Senate committee looked at some compromise proposals a few other states have tried to cover more of their uninsured citizens, while getting Federal waivers from some of the Act's requirements.

But committee chairman Joshua McKoon (R-Columbus) told WABE the plans being tried in Arkansas and Iowa don't fit well with the needs of Georgia's population. 

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The federal government announced Thursday that it has awarded $5.3 million to 10 Georgia health organizations to create new sites to deliver care.

Nationally, the Department of Health and Human Services awarded $150 million under the Affordable Care Act to support 236 new health center sites across the country across the country.

The funding comes on top of $19 million awarded nationally in September to create new health care centers, including five in Georgia.

Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) serve underserved areas, offer a sliding fee scale, and provide comprehensive health services. The centers are also assisting enrollment in the health insurance exchanges, part of health care reform. An FQHC can operate several clinics.