Affordable Care Act expiration could cost jobs; Addiction recovery coalition

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary

Episode Date: October 21, 2025
Host: Peter Biello, Georgia Public Broadcasting
Main Themes:

• The potential economic impact of expiring Affordable Care Act tax subsidies in Georgia
• Regional coalition efforts to strengthen addiction recovery advocacy
• Additional Georgia news: Atlanta airport security, health conferences amid a federal shutdown, hospital developments, and right whale population recovery

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1. The Threatened Expiration of Affordable Care Act (ACA) Subsidies

Segment: [00:52] – [02:02]

Key Points:

• A new report from George Washington University, using CBO and Urban Institute data, warns that if ACA tax subsidies expire in November, Georgia could face among the nation’s most significant job losses.
• Without these subsidies, the annual costs for ACA health plans could more than double, pricing many residents out of coverage.
• The anticipated effects include increased numbers of uninsured Georgians, higher uncompensated healthcare costs for providers, and potential job cuts in the healthcare sector.
• Georgia is projected to lose 34,000 jobs and over $2 billion in state and local tax revenues.
• Over 1.5 million Georgians were enrolled in ACA plans last year; many are already seeing price increases.

Notable Quote:

“Georgia could see some of the highest job losses in the country if Affordable Care act tax subsidies are allowed to expire in November.”
— Peter Biello [00:52]

“On average, annual costs for Affordable Care act plans are estimated to more than double when the tax credits expire this year… Georgia is projected to lose 34,000 jobs. Researchers suggest over $2 billion will be lost in state and local tax revenues...”
— Sophie Gratas [01:12]

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2. Regional Collaboration in Addiction Recovery Advocacy

Segment: [03:33] – [04:09]

Key Points:

• The newly formed Southeast Addiction Recovery Coalition convened its inaugural meeting online, bringing together about 200 advocates from 12 states, including Georgia.
• The coalition’s goal is to unify voices seeking increased funding and comprehensive support for opioid addiction treatment and prevention at both local and federal levels.
• Jeff Breedlove, a founding member, highlighted the need for organization to influence bipartisan legislative caucuses more effectively in Washington, D.C.

Notable Quotes:

“We need to organize so that members of Congress and their staff will stand with us, stand by us and advocate for us for laws and programs and funding in Washington.”
— Jeff Breedlove [03:57]

“Coalitions and activists are forming from across the spectrum of prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery from addiction.”
— Ellen Eldredge [04:09]

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3. Brief News Updates

Atlanta Airport Security Incident

Segment: [02:02] – [02:36]

• Atlanta Police arrested Billy Cagle, who allegedly intended to commit violence at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
• Authorities credited Cagle’s family for alerting them, likely averting a tragedy.

Quote:

“There were 27 rounds that could have been fired from this weapon inside the airport.”
— Police Chief Darren Sheerbaum [02:25]

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Infectious Disease Conference and Federal Shutdown

Segment: [02:36] – [03:33]

• The annual ID Week (infectious disease conference) in Atlanta experienced markedly lower participation this year because Centers for Disease Control and Prevention scientists were unable to attend due to the government shutdown.
• Federal scientists’ involvement is restricted unless externally funded during shutdowns.

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WellStar Health System Expansion

Segment: [04:22] – [04:52]

• Georgia’s Department of Community Health approved WellStar’s plan to build a new 230-bed hospital in Cobb County.
• The move follows WellStar’s controversial closure of two hospitals in lower-income Atlanta neighborhoods, sparking potential appeals from competing health systems.

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North Atlantic Right Whale Population Recovery

Segment: [05:19] – [06:14]

• The North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium reported the whale population now stands at an estimated 384, up eight from last year.
• This is the fourth consecutive year of slow population growth after a significant previous decline.
• Main threats remain: ship collisions and fishing gear entanglements, but 11 new calves this year offer cautious optimism.

Quote:

“Despite ongoing threats to the giant animals, there are signs of recovery, with 11 calves born this year. Experts remain cautiously optimistic about the whale's future, highlighting the importance of sustained conservation efforts.”
— Peter Biello [05:19]

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4. Memorable Moments & Tone

• The episode maintained a straightforward, fact-driven approach with an emphasis on recent policy developments affecting Georgia.
• Advocacy voices were highlighted for both healthcare and addiction policy segments, with calls for coordinated action and legislative support.
• The right whale population story provided a rare note of optimism amid mostly cautionary news.

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5. Timestamps for Key Segments

• ACA Subsidies Expiration: [00:52] – [02:02]
• Atlanta Airport Security Incident: [02:02] – [02:36]
• ID Week & CDC Participation: [02:36] – [03:33]
• Addiction Recovery Coalition: [03:33] – [04:09]
• WellStar New Hospital Approval: [04:22] – [04:52]
• Right Whale Population Update: [05:19] – [06:14]

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Summary:
This episode of Georgia Today spotlighted the far-reaching consequences of expiring ACA subsidies in Georgia, the formation of a powerful addiction recovery coalition in the Southeast, and delivered concise updates on local news stories including security at Atlanta’s airport, healthcare infrastructure changes, and a glimmer of hope for North Atlantic right whales. The tone was urgent yet balanced, with clear calls to action from advocates and informative, measured reporting throughout.

Transcript

[A]

Georgia is the new hotbed for musical talent and the music industry knows it. Record executives are turning their eyes to the Peach State to discover the next big thing. On GPB's Peach Jam podcast, you'll hear those rising Georgia artists before anyone else. Listen and discover the sound of what's next on the Peach Jam Podcast from Georgia Public Broadcasting. Welcome to the Georgia Today Podcast. Here we bring you the latest reports from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, the expiration of Obamacare subsidies could cause significant job losses in Georgia, and addiction recovery advocates work together to lobby lawmakers more effectively.

[B]

We need to organize so that members of Congress and their staff will stand with us, stand by us and advocate for us for laws and programs and funding in Washington.

[A]

Today's Tuesday, October 21st. I'm Peter Biello and this is GEORGIA Today. Georgia could see some of the highest job losses in the country if Affordable Care act tax subsidies are allowed to expire in November. That's according to a new nonpartisan study, as GPB's Sophie Gradis explains.

[C]

The report from George Washington University uses data from the Congressional Budget Office and the nonprofit Urban Institute. On average, annual costs for Affordable Care act plans are estimated to more than double when the tax credits expire this year. The report says that might mean more uninsured people running up costs for hospitals, clinics and pharmaceutical companies, which might then cut jobs to compensate. Georgia is projected to lose 34,000 jobs. Researchers suggest over $2 billion will be lost in state and local tax revenues as people save more for their health care. People shopping for ACA coverage in Georgia might already be seeing cost increases based on the expiring subsidies. Over 1.5 million Georgians enrolled in an ACA plan last year. For GPB News, I'm Sophie Gratas.

[A]

Atlanta Police say they averted a possible tragedy when they arrested a man who threatened to shoot up Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International airport. Police say 49 year old Billy Cagle of Cartersville was on his way to the airport yesterday morning with a loaded gun when his family alerted police to the threats. Atlanta Police Chief Darren Sheerbaum says officers found the gun inside Cagle's truck after Cagle got into the terminal and then.

[B]

You'Ll see the officers approaching it and then they'll recover the firearm, the semiautomatic assault rifle that he had with him. There were 27 rounds that could have been fired from this weapon inside the airport.

[A]

Authorities believe Cagle was having a mental health crisis. Sherbaum thanked Cagle's family for averting a possible tragedy. An annual conference about infectious diseases is seeing a dramatic attendance decline, in part because Centers for Disease Control and Prevention experts can't participate. In ID Week in Atlanta ends tomorrow. Experts are discussing the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of threats including bird flu, superbugs, measles, HIV and more. The Atlanta based CDC typically sends scores of researchers and outbreak investigators, but nearly all had to miss the conference because of the government shutdown. Federal scientists aren't being paid and conference appearances are postponed unless they are funded outside of annual government budgets. A group of addiction recovery advocates from around the south, including Georgia, has begun working together to more effectively lobby lawmakers in D.C. gPB's Ellen Eldredge has more.

[D]

About 200 advocates from 12 states met online this month for the inaugural meeting of the Southeast Addiction Recovery Coalition. Together, they are seeking more funding for local programs and community support in tackling the opioid epidemic. Jeff Breedlove is a founding member of the coalition. He says the group seeks to present a more unified voice to the bipartisan members of addiction and recovery related legislative caucuses in Washington.

[B]

We need to organize so that members of Congress and their staff will stand with us, stand by us and advocate for us for laws and programs and funding in Washington. And that's just the start, he says.

[D]

Coalitions and activists are forming from across the spectrum of prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery from addiction. For GPB News, I'm Ellen Eldredge.

[A]

State officials have approved a $1 billion plan for WellStar Health System to build a new 230 bed hospital in metro Atlanta's Cobb County. The Department of Community Health signed off on the hospital certificate of need yesterday, starting a process that rival health Systems could appeal. WellStar's move toward a hospital in higher income Acworth comes three years after its decision to close two hospitals in lower income Atlanta neighborhoods, including Atlanta Medical Center.

[E]

Sources and Methods the crown jewels of the intelligence community. Shorthand for how do we know what's real? Who told us? If you have those answers, you're on the inside and NPR wants to bring you there. From the Pentagon to the State Department to spy agencies, listen to understand what's really happening and what it means for you. Sources and Methods the new National Security Podcast from NPR.

[A]

Scientists are reporting an encouraging trend in the population of the North Atlantic right whale. A report released today by the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium says the population now stands at an estimated 384, up 8 from the previous year. This marks the fourth year of slow growth, following a 25% decline from 2010 to 2020. Despite ongoing threats to the giant animals, there are signs of recovery, with 11 calves born this year. Experts remain cautiously optimistic about the whale's future, highlighting the importance of sustained conservation efforts. North Atlantic right whales are vulnerable to collisions with ships and entanglement in fishing gear. They migrate every year from calving grounds off Florida and Georgia to feeding grounds off New England and Canada. And that is a wrap on this edition of GEORGIA today. Thank you for tuning in and thank you for supporting gpb. Our fall fund drive is underway. When you make a contribution to gpb, you're supporting podcasts like this one, as well as everything you see on GPB TV and everything you hear on GPB Radio. Oh yeah, and everything you [e-mail] news, where there is no paywall. You can read as much as you'd like and find updates to the stories you heard today. If you haven't given to GPB yet during our fall fund drive, [e-mail], just click on Donate once you're there. If you've got feedback on this podcast, we'd love to hear from you. Send an email to georgia todaypb.org I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.

[E]

Sources and Methods, the crown jewels of the intelligence community. Shorthand for how do we know what's real? Who told us? If you have those answers, you're on the inside and NPR wants to bring you there. From the Pentagon to the State Department to spy agencies, listen to understand what's really happening and what it means for you. Sources and Methods, the new National Security podcast from NPR.