Georgia Today Podcast Summary

Episode Date: November 12, 2025
Host: Peter Biello (Georgia Public Broadcasting)
Featured Topics: Rising health care costs in Georgia, Microsoft’s new Atlanta data center, local and business news, and sports updates.

Episode Overview

This episode of Georgia Today centers on two major themes: the mounting health care costs confronting Georgians as federal subsidies expire, and the opening of Microsoft’s Atlanta data center—positioned to be a crucial hub in the company's AI initiatives. The episode intersperses these stories with updates on Atlanta Fed leadership, promising developments in anxiety treatment studies, new manufacturing jobs, sports victories, and local election news.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Health Care Premiums on the Rise (00:30 – 04:15)

Reporter: Sophie Graudas

• Context: With the potential expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits (introduced during the COVID-19 era), many Georgians are grappling with skyrocketing health care premiums and the difficult choices this creates.
• Personal Stories:
  • Brandy McGee Pilati (Jackson County):
    • Received notice her ACA premium tax credit will expire, spiking her monthly premium from $124 to $345.23.
    • Quote:

      "That was kind of scary." (01:10, Brandy McGee Pilati)

    • Acknowledges her need for insurance for expensive, ongoing medical conditions, expressing anger at a system where “people like me” drive rates up.
    • Quote:

      "So I definitely am someone that is causing insurance rates to rise for people. How does that make me feel? It angers me." (02:03, Brandy McGee Pilati)

    • Worries about future cuts to other benefits, such as her husband's disability or children's Social Security.
  • Teresa Acosta (Dunwoody):
    • Had to close her COVID-born catering business after finding out her premiums will climb to over $500/month—about a third of her income.
    • Quote:

      "I don't see a world in which I can afford that. I'll likely have to look at Medicaid, see if I qualify or if at least my kids qualify." (03:08, Teresa Acosta)

    • Her child’s Type 1 diabetes makes continuous coverage essential.
• Community Impact:
  • Deanna Williams (Health Insurance Enrollment Counselor):
    • Urges people to closely review their insurance options and income during open enrollment.
    • Quote:

      "Review your income, your estimated amount, your household size, your current plan." (03:41, Deanna Williams)

    • Expresses concern many healthy and sick individuals may not be able to afford any coverage.
    • Quote:

      "If you can't pay for your premium, you certainly can't pay for a large hospital bill." (03:56, Deanna Williams)

    • Medicaid may help some, but many fall through the cracks.

2. Microsoft Opens Atlanta Data Center, Powering AI Growth (06:06 – 06:51)

• Microsoft launched a new data center in Atlanta (operational since October 2025).
• This facility, paired with a Wisconsin site, is central in Microsoft’s “first AI super factory,” leveraging hundreds of thousands of Nvidia chips for artificial intelligence computing.

3. Atlanta Fed President Announces Retirement (04:15 – 04:58)

• Rafael Bostic, president of Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, will retire in February.
• Context: Amid President Trump's interest in steering more national monetary policy.
• Selection process for his successor is underway.
• Bostic reflects:
  • Quote:

    "Even today, there are folks that are looking out for me and I don't know why they chose to do it. I don't know how, but I've been grateful for it. And those are the things that I remember." (04:46, Rafael Bostic)

• Notably, Bostic was the first Black and openly gay regional Fed president (since 2017).

4. Anxiety Study Using Psychedelics in Atlanta (05:22 – 06:06)

• Ongoing clinical trial led by Dr. Sandra Mass Robinson at iResearch Atlanta, using MM120 (a form of LSD) for generalized anxiety disorder.
• Highlights the need for new, lasting anxiety treatments with fewer side effects.
• Results expected in 2026.

5. FDA Lifts Warning on Hormone Therapy for Women (06:51 – 07:12)

• Hormone-based menopause therapies will no longer carry bold warnings about severe risks.
• Savannah menopause expert Dr. Pam Gaudrey commends the FDA:
  • Quote:

    "They're just going to get their lives back ... they're going to sleep better, their mood swings are going to go away and they're going to be able to enjoy a sexual life for as long as they desire." (06:51, Dr. Pam Gaudrey)

• Some doctors remain cautious about the regulatory process.

6. Local Legislative and Economic Updates (07:12 – 09:21)

• Special elections in Cherokee County and northeast Georgia follow the deaths and resignations of state representatives.
• Socomex (France) is investing $10 million in a new manufacturing facility in Gwinnett County, promising 300 jobs, focusing on products that support energy continuity for businesses.

7. Atlanta Gets National Women’s Soccer League Team (09:21 – 09:55)

• Arthur Blank (owner of Atlanta Falcons & United) to bring an NWSL franchise to Atlanta’s Mercedes Benz Stadium in 2028.
• $165 million to be invested in training and headquarters.
• Local high school soccer player Elizabeth Nilsen expresses enthusiasm:
  • Quote:

    "This growing NSWL team is just going to be so amazing, not only for the city, but for all of these young women out here." (09:41, Elizabeth Nilsen)

8. Sports: Braves Catcher Wins Rookie of the Year (10:41 – End)

• Atlanta Braves’ Drake Baldwin named National League Rookie of the Year for 2025.
• Quote from Baldwin:

  • "It's still kind of surreal right now, but yeah, it's just an incredible year and was super excited it's ending this way." (10:41, Drake Baldwin)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “I don't see a world in which I can afford that. I'll likely have to look at Medicaid, see if I qualify or if at least my kids qualify.”
  — Teresa Acosta, talking about new health insurance premiums (03:08)

• "So I definitely am someone that is causing insurance rates to rise for people. How does that make me feel? It angers me."
  — Brandy McGee Pilati, on the burden of her medical needs (02:03)

• “If you can't pay for your premium, you certainly can't pay for a large hospital bill.”
  — Deanna Williams, health insurance counselor (03:56)

• “They're just going to get their lives back because they're going to sleep better, their mood swings are going to go away and they're going to be able to enjoy a sexual life for as long as they desire.”
  — Dr. Pam Gaudrey, on hormone therapy label changes (06:51)

• "It's still kind of surreal right now... It's just an incredible year and was super excited it's ending this way."
  — Drake Baldwin, Braves catcher & Rookie of the Year (10:41)

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------| | 00:30 | Introduction to rising health care premiums | | 01:07 | Brandy McGee Pilati’s health care struggles | | 02:27 | Teresa Acosta’s catering business and premium shock | | 03:41 | Deanna Williams offers open enrollment advice | | 04:15 | Atlanta Fed President Rafael Bostic's retirement news | | 05:22 | Atlanta clinical trial on psychedelics for anxiety | | 06:06 | Microsoft’s Atlanta data center opens | | 06:51 | FDA lifts warning on hormone therapy | | 07:12 | Legislative election updates and Socomex facility | | 09:21 | Atlanta awarded new NWSL soccer franchise | | 10:41 | Braves’ Drake Baldwin wins NL Rookie of the Year |

Conclusion

This episode provides a snapshot of the economic, health, and cultural moments shaping Georgia: from families forced to make impossible health care decisions, to major tech investment, to milestones in sports and women’s leadership. The speakers’ stories emphasize the direct impact of federal and local policy on everyday Georgians, while the state’s growth and resilience remain in sharp focus.