Keisha Lance Bottoms pushes Medicaid expansion in Warner Robins campaign stop

Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms made her first campaign stop since winning the primary election in Middle Georgia, and brought along an established Democratic governor to discuss healthcare access in the state.

The former Atlanta mayor was joined by second term Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear Thursday afternoon for a roundtable discussion on Georgia healthcare access and Medicaid expansion at the co-working space Succeed Cowork in Warner Robins.

“I am greatly interested in what’s happened in Kentucky,” Bottoms said. “As we look forward to, God willing, winning in November and having the opportunity to expand Medicaid in this state, (we are) wanting to know how Kentucky was able to get it done…”

Beshear, who also leads the Democratic Governors Association, joined Bottoms ahead of travelling to South Carolina to speak with local leaders on mobilizing Democratic voters. He previously visited Middle Georgia while campaigning for former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.

“I’m living, breathing proof that Democrats can win gubernatorial races anywhere, and we should be fighting everywhere,” Beshear said.

The discussion also included Warner Robins mayor LaRhonda Patrick, Democratic candidate for Georgia House District 147 Renita Duncan, as well as Warner Robins residents and members of the Houston County Democrats.

Bottoms’ Healthcare Plan

Bottoms’ prioritized healthcare access in the primary election and is continuing to highlight the issue going into the general election in November.

Bottoms, Beshear and the roundtable participants spoke on a number of healthcare concerns in the state, ranging from access to specialists in Middle Georgia, doctor retention and Georgia’s six-week abortion ban. But the largest emphasis was on expanding Medicaid in the state.

As of January 2026, over 1.6 million Georgians are enrolled in Medicaid. In its current form, only some Georgia citizens are eligible for traditional Medicaid based on factors such as income, age and disability status. Other states adopted expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act, which is eligible to anyone whose income is under 138% of the federal poverty level.

Georgia is one of only 10 states that has not adopted Medicaid expansion, according to nonprofit health policy research organization KFF. The state adopted a partial expansion under Gov. Brian Kemp known as “Georgia Pathways to Coverage,” which extends coverage to adults 19-64 whose income is up to 100% of the federal poverty level and includes a work requirement.

Bottoms’ plan for expanding Medicaid includes eliminating Georgia Pathways and matching the income eligibility requirements of other states, like Kentucky.

“Do Georgians deserve less than Kentuckians or people from North Carolina?” Beshear said. “It’s now about equal access to healthcare.”

Bottoms and Beshear also discussed the closure of hospitals and medical facilities, especially in rural areas. Since 2013, 18 hospitals in Georgia have closed, according to the Georgia Hospital Association. The two politicians said expanding Medicaid could take some of the financial burden off of hospitals.

“In the interim, it is 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 while speaking about bringing more mobile health clinics to communities. “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 end aren’t happening.”

The Georgia governor cannot make changes to Medicaid eligibility on their own and must get approval through the state legislature. But Bottoms said that her plan, if elected, is to prepare state agencies for expansion during her first 100 days in office.

Bottoms received 56.2% of the Democratic vote statewide and 71.2% of the vote in Houston County on May 19, winning outright in a crowded field of Democratic candidates and avoiding a runoff election.

She will face either former Georgia Lieutenant Gov. Burt Jones or healthcare billionaire Rick Jackson as the Republican gubernatorial candidate in November. Their race is set for a runoff on Tuesday, June 16.

Bottoms concluded the discussion with a call to mobilize voters in the November general election.

“If we want to have some of these great outcomes like we’re seeing in Kentucky, we have to show up and vote like our lives depend on it,” Bottoms said.

This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 10:55 AM with the headline "Keisha Lance Bottoms pushes Medicaid expansion in Warner Robins campaign stop."