WGAA 1340AM Cedartown

Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens has signed an order finalizing new rules that will require all insurance companies who sell individual health policies in Georgia to also offer “Child-Only” individual health coverage beginning January 1, 2013.

“Georgia consumers who want to provide healthcare coverage for their children can begin the process during the open enrollment period of January 1-31,” Commissioners Hudgens said. “To guarantee that children get the quality medical care they need, I encourage parents and guardians with uninsured children to consider purchasing this coverage. ”

A “Child-Only” plan is a type of policy that can be purchased by parents that are uninsured, whose employers do not offer health coverage to dependents, or who have had a qualifying event such as loss of coverage due to job change. A legal guardian can also purchase this type of policy if they are insured by Medicare.

House Bill 1166, which established “Child-Only” policies, was an effort by the Georgia Legislature to assist parents with children under age 19 who are not currently covered, and who do not have access to creditable health insurance coverage. The bill was sponsored by Representative Alex Atwood.

“This was a common sense, free-market initiative that received overwhelming bi-partisan support,” said Rep. Alex Atwood. “I am honored to have authored legislation that will provide hard-working Georgians with an additional insurance option for their children.”

Coverage for this healthcare plan will begin on March 1, for persons applying during the January open enrollment period. Insurers are required to offer guaranteed issue during this period even if a child has a pre-existing condition. Children with loss of coverage due to qualifying events after January 2013 may also be eligible for special enrollment.

Commissioner Hudgens recommends parents and guardians to contact their local health insurance agent directly to inquire about enrollment during the month of January. Anyone with questions about the open enrollment process may also contact the Department toll-free at 800-656-2298. Calls are taken Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The open enrollment period for the “Child Only” policy is January 1-31, 2013.

The leader of the Gospel Tabernacle Church of Decatur was indicted Thursday by a grand jury on 8 counts of violating Ga’s Securities Act. Bishop Wiley Jackson face 8 counts of illegally selling shares in a company called Genesis LLC cheating at least two investors out of over $12,000.

A former professor at Dalton State College will be tried on rape and child molestation charges next week. Monte Salyer had negotiated a plea deal with the District Attorney’s Office but backed out at the last minute. The former English professor faces charges of rape, statutory rape, child molestation, aggravated child molestation and criminal attempt to commit a felony.

Dick’s Sporting Goods is suspending its sales of modern rifles nationwide because of the school shooting in Connecticut. A statement on Dick’s website expresses sympathy for the victims families. It says sales of modern sporting rifles will be suspended during this “time of national mourning.”

A daycare teacher in Paulding County has been arrested for hiring someone to kill her ex-husband. Melissa Silvers, 48, thought she was hiring a hit man, however, the hit man was an undercover agent. Silvers was arrested at Lost Mountain Academy Daycare. Silvers has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and is in jail without bond.

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is clearing a path for travelers this holiday season by lifting lane closures over the extended Christmas and New Year’s travel period. GDOT announced today that all scheduled and ongoing construction-related lane closures in Northwest Georgia would be suspended for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The suspension will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 21, 2012 and continue until midnight Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013.

Georgia Power has agreed to buy more power from solar equipped homes and businesses as part of its plan to increase the amount of solar power it sells. The Ga. Public Service Commission recommended the change in the utility’s plan. Ga. Power agreed to buy 30 megawatts a year for three years from solar equippedhouses and businesses. It also plans to buy 60 megawatts a year for two years from solar farms. One megawatt can power a department store.

Georgia highway safety officials are urging motorists to take extra care this holiday season.

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety says the state is on track to experience an increase in fatalities for the first time in six years. If fatalities continue at their current rate, the state will surpass last year’s total of 1,226 deaths on the roadways.

State highway officials always reinforce their zero tolerance policy for impaired driving during the holiday season. This year, they want people to be extra careful to avoid an increase in fatalities.

The state’s annual Operation Zero Tolerance campaign begins Friday and lasts through New Year’s Day.

Authorities say a woman bumped into a scooter with her car at a central Georgia gas station, leading to a brief burst of gunfire that claimed her life.Macon police say she was shot to death Tuesday afternoon, in what they describe as a random encounter.

Police say 65-year-old Linda Hunnicutt’s car bumped into a scooter operated by a 73-year-old man.

Police say Hunnicutt stepped out of her Buick Lucerne and briefly exchanged words with him. They say he drew a gun and shot her once in the chest.

Police say the suspect, Frank Louis Reeves, was apprehended in the parking lot. He was being held on a murder charge at the Bibb County Jail. Police didn’t know whether he has an attorney, and jail records do not list one.