House Study Committee on Protecting Working Families; create

HR 712 creates a House Study Committee on Protecting Working Families to examine how Georgia can safeguard vulnerable Georgians from potential federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits. The committee will study specific state-level protections, including emergency Medicaid funds, food security programs, and small business tax incentives, to maintain access to healthcare and nutrition for low-income families, veterans, rural communities, and maternal health services. It does not enact new laws but will evaluate policy options to mitigate impacts if federal funding decreases. The resolution highlights that nearly 2.5 million Georgians rely on Medicaid and over 1.4 million depend on SNAP, with cuts risking higher uninsured rates, food insecurity, and strained rural hospitals. The committee will report findings to the legislature by a specified deadline.