Bottoms brings health care pitch to Warner Robins

The Democratic nominee for governor discussed Medicaid expansion, rural health care, abortion access and prescription drug costs.

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Democratic nominee for governor of Georgia Keisha Lance Bottoms discussed expanding health care access for Georgians Thursday during a roundtable with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear.

Bottoms says one of her top priorities is to expand Medicaid to cover thousands of low-income Georgians, specifically in rural areas.

“I believe in investing in these mobile health clinics, making sure that our public health centers have what they need to provide services,” she said. “And of course, taking it straight to the legislature to try and get Medicaid expanded in this state. We needed it to be done a long time ago, and the people in this state are suffering because it hasn’t happened.”

Bottoms also spoke about the state’s 6-week abortion ban, advocating for restoring reproductive freedom. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear agrees with her on that stance.

“When you have a legislature that tries to legislate the standard of care, tries to legislate what services can and cannot be provided to people, it impacts the number of doctors and the level that you get,” Beshear said. “In Kentucky we have zero weeks; we have the most draconian abortion ban in the country. There’s not even exceptions for rape and incest. A rapist right now has more rights than a victim, which is so wrong.”

Bottoms says she plans to address the rising cost of health care premiums and prescription drug costs if elected Georgia governor. She’s also concerned about the number of birthing centers, ICU units and medical centers that have closed down in smaller areas.

“It’s going to be important for us to make those necessary investments in public health, until we can get these hospitals back up and running,” Bottoms said. “We’ve got to get mobile health clinics in our communities. So much of it is preventive care. Many of our emergency rooms are being used as doctor visits, because people don’t have access to preventive care or things that could have been warded off on the front in aren’t happening.”

Gov. Beshear says those who suffer with mental health challenges should be covered as well.

“Well thanks to the ACA, mental health care is on par with physical healthcare,” Beshear said. “So, there is coverage. The question then is, are enough people being referred to it? Are we taking advantage of it? Do we have enough practitioners? But that’s a problem you can solve once you have the actual coverage to it.”

Bottoms says she will also continue to advocate for better Medicaid for veterans and the elderly.