In the aftermath of Gov. Jay's visit touting Missouri's embrace of Obamacare, one thing is clear . . .
KANSAS CITY IS NOW THE EPICENTER OF THE OBAMACARE REVIVAL THROUGHOUT THE NATION THANKS TO ELECTION 2012 VICTORY!!!
Of course there will be pushback and this move is a bit out of character for Gov. Jay but let's remember that he's now a lame duck Governor and what he's really doing is running for a Prez or Vice Prez nomination in 2016.
I'm not sure what the consequences will be and it's hard to imagine healthcare getting any worse for most workers on the lower end of the wage scale . . . Thanks to a friend of TKC who helped put this move in it's proper historical perspective with this presser:
MISSOURI HEALTH MATTERS
We wanted to alert you to some breaking news. As you can see from the news around the state today, our state’s leaders are faced with critical decisions about Medicaid — the health care program for those with low incomes and the disabled. Their decisions will affect the future of the state’s health care infrastructure and Missouri’s economy. Take a moment to read the following excerpts of today’s news coverage.
Sincerely,
The Missouri Health Matters Team
SPRINGFIELD NEWS-LEADER
“A study released today by the Missouri Hospital Association projects that more than 24,000 jobs could be created in 2014 in the state if Missouri expands its Medicaid plan.”
COLUMBIA MISSOURIAN
“Complying with the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of Medicaid might create enough tax revenue to pay for itself, according to a new study released Wednesday morning by the MU School of Medicine.
ST. LOUIS BEACON
“The study says expanding Medicaid would benefit Missouri because it would:
“• Generate 24,000 more jobs, described as the equivalent of more workers than Missouri’s 10 Fortune 500 companies.
• Increase payroll by nearly $7 billion between 2014 and 2020.
• Boost state and local tax revenue by $856 million between 2014 and 2020.
• Lower the cost of private insurance premiums because hospitals wouldn't need to shift as much of their costs to cover treatment for the uninsured.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS
“If Missouri does not expand Medicaid eligibility, hospitals could take a financial hit. The federal health care law reduces payments to hospitals for treating the uninsured on the assumption that more people will have coverage either through private insurance or Medicaid. If hospitals have more uncovered costs, they may seek to recoup money by charging more for services that are likely to be covered by private insurers, the report said.”
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch and The Kansas City Star endorsed Medicaid Expansion, saying the following.
THE KANSAS CITY STAR
“A crucial choice for Missouri lawmakers came into sharper focus Wednesday with the release of a study suggesting the state would achieve a major economic boost by expanding its Medicaid limits.
“Critics will likely quibble with the conclusions of the hospital association’s study. But the infusion of $8.2 billion in federal money is certain to create an economic bounce. Clinics will be built and expanded, suppliers of medical goods will see more business, and the market for nurses, doctors and other practitioners will expand.
“That logic obviously appeals to the Missouri Chamber of Commerce. Though no fan of the Affordable Care Act, the chamber is endorsing the Medicaid expansion.”
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
“The federal government is promising a 10-to-1 return on investment in health care if states kick in a fractional increase in their Medicaid budgets.
“It is time to say yes, Missouri. Yes to jobs. Yes to investment. Yes to a healthier future.”
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