Gov. Brian Kemp unveils his plan to bring access to health coverage to more low-income Georgians.

The plan called Georgia Pathways could potentially benefit 408,000 in the state who fall below 100 percent of the federal poverty level—just over $12, 000 a year. But only as many as 50,000 per year are expected to be eligible based on a requirement of 80 hours a month for work, volunteering or training.

“This is not a free handout. Hardworking Georgians who qualify will have skin in the game (by) paying a monthly premium determined by a sliding fee scale,” he says.

The premiums could go as high as $11 a month per individual.

Kemp will submit the plan by the end of the year to the federal government for approval along with another waiver he unveiled last week aimed at lowering health insurance premiums for the rest of the state. He expects both to be approved by the Trump administration.

“Nothing is 100 percent guaranteed, but I feel like the way we’ve gone about the process is the right way to do it,” he tells WSB’s Sandra Parrish.

Opponents, who have been pushing for a full Medicaid expansion, were quick to react.

Taifa Butler, executive director of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, says the plan doesn’t go far enough and still leaves hundreds of thousands of Georgians without health insurance.

“It covers too few people; it creates barriers like work requirements and premiums; and it doesn’t take full advantage of the funding options,” she says.

Democrats like Sen. Gloria Butler (D-Stone Mountain) say Georgia should join other states and expand its Medicaid rolls to cover those making up to 138 percent of the federal poverty leave--taking advantage of a 9-to-1 match by the federal government.

“With the number of people that we have that are not insured and under-insured, our plan would be a better plan,” she says.

Kemp’s administration has set up a six-stop “listening tour” around the state beginning Thursday in Savannah with the public commenting period ending on Dec. 3.