Fayette Rep. Matt Ramsey has authored a bill for Gov. Sonny Perdue that is touted to expand access to health insurance for Georgia residents by allowing them to "go across state lines" to seek coverage.

Ramsey's H.B. 1184 would allow individuals and families to buy health plans that have been approved for sale in other states, according to a news release from the Governor's office.

Insurers which are licensed in Georgia, but have alternative products which are sold in other states, will also be able to sell those policies in Georgia, officials said.

Perdue's office says that the changes "will make affordable health insurance more accessible and increase the variety of health plans available to Georgians."

The legislation will require such policies to have a warning at the beginning in boldface type reminding the purchaser that the out-of-state policy is "governed primarily by the laws of a state other than Georgia," according to the bill.

The bill would require all such policies to meet actuarial standards set forth by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Ramsey is one of the governor's floor leaders in the House of Representatives. On the Senate side, Tyrone's Ronnie Chance is also a floor leader for Gov. Perdue.