Health Care in Georgia is Abysmal. Do You Care?

Georgians face some of the nation’s worst health care challenges, with the state ranking 48th overall in a new national study examining cost, access and quality of medical services.

🏥 Why It Matters: Nearly half of Georgia adults lack health insurance, and residents struggle to find doctors and hospital beds when they need care most.

📊 What’s Happening: WalletHub’s 2025 health care rankings reveal Georgia’s systemic problems across multiple areas.

• Only Mississippi and Alabama ranked lower for overall health care
• Georgia has the second-worst rate of uninsured adults in the nation at 49th place

🔍 Between the Lines: The state shows mixed results that highlight deeper structural issues.

• Georgians pay relatively reasonable insurance premiums, ranking 22nd nationally
• But they face severe shortages of medical professionals and hospital capacity once they try to use that coverage

⚡ Catch Up Quick: The average American spends nearly $14,600 yearly on personal health care, making state-level differences crucial for family budgets.

• New Hampshire topped the rankings with low costs and high-quality care
• Southern states dominated the bottom of the list

🌍 The Big Picture: Georgia’s poor showing reflects broader challenges facing health care in 2025. Experts warn that potential cuts to Medicaid and marketplace subsidies could worsen access problems, particularly in states like Georgia that haven’t expanded Medicaid. The state’s ability to retain medical residents ranks better at 16th nationally, suggesting some hope for future improvement if systemic barriers to care can be addressed.

🩺 Take Action: Georgia’s healthcare system won’t improve unless residents demand it. As a “business-friendly” state, Georgia often prioritizes the needs of businesses over patients — and that leaves many families behind. If you want better, tell your state lawmakers to invest in rural hospitals, expand access to care, and support programs that help mothers and children thrive.

The Sources: WalletHub 2025 Best & Worst States for Health Care report, expert commentary from Michael Stowe (University of St. Francis), Nancy Chun Feng (Suffolk University), Keith A. Joiner (University of Arizona), and Aleta Ostlund (California State University, Long Beach).