In 2014, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will provide federal funds for an expansion of Medicaid in the states. Governor Branstad is among those considering refusing to participate. Here is why, here is how it will hurt Iowans, and here is what we need to do about it.
Why would Branstad be thinking about refusing to participate?
The answer to that question is provided by the following mathematical formula:
Lack of empathy and respect for vulnerable Iowans + Blind right-wing conservative prejudice + Disrespect for the role of the public sector in citizen lives + Reliance on Republican “so called” math + Self-serving allegiance to the Koch brothers and all things ALEC = Negligent governing that hurts the people
How would refusal to participate hurt Iowans?
Financial cost
Accept expansion: If Iowa participates in the expansion, the federal government will provide 100% of the cost of the expansion for 3 years and a lesser percent over time, never to drop below 90%. This will result in 183,000 more Iowans receiving coverage at a state cost of $161 per person per year. Let me repeat, for the bargain basement price of only $161 per person per year we can cover nearly 200,000 Iowans.
Reject expansion: Iowa currently has a program called Iowa Care that covers some Iowans who are above the allowable Medicaid income but unable to afford private insurance. Iowa Care ends in 2014. It is estimated that without expansion, 73,000 more Iowans will be uninsured. The cost of healthcare for the uninsured is about double that for the insured, because the uninsured don’t get preventive care and don’t seek care until they are sicker. Costs of poorer health also include loss of productivity.
Human cost
The uninsured have a higher risk of chronic illness and of premature death from illness and injury. That’s right. People die from lack of insurance because of reduced access to medical care.
What can we do about it?
Most Democrats in the legislature support expansion, a few do not. Some Republicans will admit behind closed doors that they support it, but Branstad has been bullying them to reject it.
No matter who your representatives in the Iowa House and Iowa Senate are, call or write or e-mail or visit and tell them to support the expansion. If they use the ALEC talking point that “it’s unaffordable and unsustainable”, make them justify that with real numbers and real arguments. When they can’t go beyond the talking points, explain again the financial and human costs to them. You don’t let your friends drive drunk and you shouldn’t let you representatives govern stupid.
Also, contact Dr. Miller-Meeks head of the Iowa Department of Public Health. She should be educating the legislature about the importance of this to the health and well being of Iowans and advocating for expansion. Currently, she’s a rubber stamp to Governor Branstad’s wishes.
Call out obstructionists and the governor in letters to the editor and other public venues. Share this information with your Iowa friends and have them put the pressure on too.
EVERY IOWAN will be hurt if the governor refuses to participate, so let’s prevent that from happening!