A report released today by Families USA and the Louisiana Consumer Healthcare Coalition says that expanding Louisiana’s Medicaid program would bring access to affordable health care to 422,000 Louisianans and—in 2016 alone—support approximately 15,600 new jobs across the state. Gov. Bobby Jindal has consistently rejected the expansion as outlined in the Affordable Care Act, citing estimates that it would cost Louisiana $3.7 billion over 10 years. The report released today, however, says accepting federal funds to expand Medicaid would increase economic activity by nearly $1.8 billion in 2016. It also says the expansion would reduce state spending on state-funded health care programs for the uninsured, citing a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation that estimated Louisiana could save as much as $267 million in uncompensated care costs from 2013 to 2022. The report also says participation in the expansion would strengthen the state’s health care system, increase state revenue via increased jobs and tax revenue, and improve overall heath in Louisiana. You can check out the complete report, Louisiana’s Economy Will Benefit from Expanding Medicaid, here. Families USA is a national nonprofit with a stated mission “to secure high-quality, affordable health coverage and care for all Americans.” According to its website, the Louisiana Consumer Healthcare Coalition’s No. 1 policy agenda priority is “defending and expanding Medicaid coverage” in the state.
Today’s poll question: Do you think Louisiana should participate in the Medicaid expansion as outlined in the Affordable Care Act?
