Submitted by the Senate Press Office

ATLANTA — Georgia State Sen. Judson Hill (R-Marietta) today introduced Senate Bill 383, the Insuring Georgia Family Act, insurance reform legislation that is embraced by Gov. Sonny Perdue. The legislation will insure more Georgia citizens by expanding the availability and affordability of health care insurance.

“Insuring more Georgia citizens is our goal with this reform legislation,” said Perdue. “More insured citizens means lower costs for all taxpayers, and preventative care means a healthier population. This legislation will incentivize small business owners to provide low cost health insurance to employees and their families.”

This health insurance reform legislation focuses on rewarding and providing financial initiative to those making healthy living choices and participating in wellness programs. The legislation has several provisions, including income tax deductions and small business tax incentives to make Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) coupled with health insurance more affordable and available in the Georgia insurance market.

“This is a market-based solution focused on empowering individuals and rewarding them for making healthy choices. This legislation makes health insurance more affordable and accessible for the uninsured and working families,” said Hill. “After working on this issue for years with various health care leaders, including Speaker Newt Gingrich’s Center for Health Transformation, I greatly appreciate the governor’s leadership that will make policy ideas a reality for every Georgian.”

According to the Center for Health Transformation, approximately 500,000 Georgians could become insured if the reform legislation is passed in the 2008 legislative session. Many other Georgians will benefit and save 20-40 percent on health insurance with pre-tax dollars. Companion legislation has been filed in the Georgia House of Representatives today; further details of this legislation will be unfolded in the next few days.