July 26th, 2012
By German Lopez |
Politics/Issues |
Posted In: News, Governor
Gov. John Kasich
Study: Expanded Medicaid Improved Lives in Other States
Kasich waiting to decide on expansion in Ohio despite federal funding
Gov. John Kasich
A new study by Harvard researchers has found that a 2001 and 2002
expansion of Medicaid coverage in Arizona, New York and Maine might have
saved lives. The study also concluded that the Medicaid expansion in
the three states improved coverage, access to care and self-reported
health.
The study found that mortality rates in the three states were
collectively 6.1 percent lower than states that did not expand Medicaid.
The decreased mortality rate mostly benefited older adults, nonwhites
and residents of poor counties.
Since they could only look at Arizona, New York and Maine, researchers
cautioned that the results might not be reflective of how a Medicaid
expansion would work in every state. However, previous research has
shown similar results. Earlier this year, results for the ongoing Oregon
Health Study
were released with more positive implications for people on Medicaid —
happier people, better self-reported health and stronger financial
security.
Despite the evidence, Gov.
John Kasich has recently said he will wait on
his decision to expand Medicaid. As part of the Affordable Care Act —
also known as “Obamacare” — states are being asked to expand their
Medicaid coverage to a new federal standard of 133 percent of the
poverty line. The federal government would completely fund the expansion
between 2014 and 2016. Afterward, states would have to pick up 10
percent of the cost, and the federal government will pay the rest.
Kasich and Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor have said the expansion, which state
officials estimate would add 400,000 Ohioans to Medicaid enrollment, is
too expensive for the state. On June 28, Taylor told
The Cleveland Plain Dealer,
“Quite frankly we're not sure where we're going to get the money from
to cover the additional obligation of spending, let alone have the
discussion about the expansion of Medicaid.”
But some research has suggested that the Medicaid expansion would
actually save states money by mitigating the cost of having so many
uninsured people. The Arkansas Department of Human Services claims the
state would save $378 million by 2025 with the Medicaid expansion. Most
of the savings would come from uncompensated care — costs that are
placed on health institutions and state and local governments when
uninsured patients that can’t and don’t pay use medical services. The
Urban Institute released a study in 2011 with similar results.
Ohio is not the only state to show skepticism toward the Medicaid
expansion. After the Supreme Court released its decision upholding
Obamacare, state officials in Texas and Florida said they will not take
part in the Medicaid expansion. State governments have until Nov. 10 to
make a final decision on whether or not they will take part in the
Medicaid expansion.
