Congress faces shutdown deadline, Medicaid expansion debate and Bill White’s new role

With a government shutdown looming, Congress is scrambling to reach a deal before Christmas. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Tia Mitchell and Greg Bluestein speak with independent journalist Michael Jones about the weekend’s missed deadline and the prospects for a last-minute agreement.

We also turn to the Georgia legislature, where the debate over Medicaid expansion is set to take center stage. Calyee Noggle, president of the Georgia Hospital Association, joins us to discuss what’s at stake for hospitals and patients across the state.

Finally, President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Bill White, former CEO of the Buckhead City Movement, to a diplomatic post abroad. We’ll explore the role he could play in international negotiations and what his appointment means for Georgia’s political scene.

Links to today’s topics:

Trump has chosen ex-leader of Buckhead cityhood push to be his ambassador to Belgium

The 90/10 cost split in the Medicaid expansion argument

Lawmakers struggle to reach deal to avert government shutdown

Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.

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