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Why then, has the MO Assembly been even unable to get the issue out of committee? There reasons:
- The cost sharing that the Federal Government agrees to make could either cease or become less.
- States can cease using Medicaid Expansion at any time
- Our petition includes this factor
- The state will have to come up with 200 million dollars (10% of Federal contribution)
- The 200 million dollars is only one percent of Missouri’s budget
The reasons we need to stop and attend to the “measure” lying beside the road:
- MO will receive 1.8 billion dollars from the federal government to enact this measure
- Two hundred fifty thousand (250,000) citizens of MO will be eligible for insurance
- These figures are those given to me by the Secretary of State in their analysis of the measure
- Many suffering citizens of MO will receive medical care
- The opioid addiction problem will receive help
- Alcohol addiction will receive help
- Addition help will be available for the mentally ill
- An increased number of veterans will be eligible
Other benefits help not only the citizens, but the economy of MO
- A Healthier workforce
- Reduced health care cost per enrollee
- Medical debt is reduced reflecting less bankruptcy (helps hospitals and other medical support offices in rural areas
- Reduction in disability from untreated illness or addiction
- Reduction of uncompensated hospital revenue
- Helps rehab ill or addicted persons reducing current medical expenses (emergency rooms)
- Creates 25,000 jobs
On our website, www.MoMedicaid.com, you can download the necessary files for collecting signatures. Or, we will mail you copies including posters, information for filling out forms and contact information. You need at least two petition forms as you can’t sign your own. You will need to find someone to participate with you in the process. This will multiply your efforts. We need over 100,000 signatures for this to be put on the ballot for the Nov 2018 election. Spread the word, contact interested groups, don’t let this important measure lie around and die.
Our Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/MoMedicaid/ Expanding Medicaid in MO
Supporting information for your talking points:
Expansion reduces cost per enrollee
Texarkana Gazette
“LITTLE ROCK—State figures show that enrollment in Arkansas' Medicaid expansion program increased by 2,100 people in October, while the average monthly cost decreased.
Figures released on Monday by the Arkansas Department of Human Services show that the average monthly cost per enrollee fell by nearly $3.70 during the same month to $518.63, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.”
http://www.texarkanagazette.com/news/arkansas/story/2017/dec/06/arkansas-medicaid-enrollment-spikes-while-cost-declines/702963/
Positive Impact on Economy
Element removed
“Medicaid expansion has positive impacts on Michigan economy
Published on December 07, 2017 by Melina Druga
....Expanding coverage has benefited the state economy by creating a healthier workforce, reducing uncompensated hospital care and supporting the health care industry.
The program also allows the state to encourage a healthy lifestyle.
That Medicaid expansion has saved the state money is not a secret,” Eric Lupher, Citizens Research Council of Michigan president, said. “The potential to undo the gains of the program – health coverage, improved hospital finance, secondary economic benefits, etc., – based on the poorly craft cost/savings measure should be of concern to all residents.”
https://michiganpeninsulanews.com/news/6690-medicaid-expansion-positive-impacts-michigan-economy/
Medical Debt Reduced
“Medical Debt Accrual Down By 45% In States After Medicaid Expansion
News Report | December 3, 2017
In those states that implemented the expanded Medicaid eligibility rules outlined in the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (PPACA), 7
The average rate of this reduction ranged from 30% to 40%.”
https://www.openminds.com/market-intelligence/news/new-medical-debt-accrual-treated-households-fell-45-following-affordable-care-act-implementation/
Non-Pollical Ohio-Kentucky-Arkansas
…’the Medicaid expansion has provided a critical lifeline for people with substance use disorders. As Ohio Governor John Kasich noted, “Thank God we expanded Medicaid because that Medicaid money is helping to rehab people.” ‘
https://www.cbpp.org/blog/medicaid-expansion-essential-to-address-opioid-epidemic
Alcohol-Drug Treatment
Health Care Reform, Medicaid Expansion and Access to Alcohol/Drug Treatment: Opportunities for Disability Prevention
“
The enhanced federal match for the Medicaid expansion population is a “game changer” that shifts financial incentives away from facilitating enrollment in federal disability programs, and in favor of improving or maintaining the health status of persons enrolled in Medicaid who have not yet become disabled. Access to alcohol/drug treatment will be critical in achieving this objective.”
http://www.cochs.org/health-care-reform-medicaid-expansion-and-access-alcoholdrug-treatment-opportunities-disability-prev
Washington Examiner
“A federal watchdog found that 1 in 3 Medicaid expansion enrollees got mental health treatment in four states.”
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/medicaid-expansion-boosted-mental-health-coverage-in-four-states/article/2629352
Increased Veterans Participation
N P R KCUR 89.3
“In 2015, just 4.8 percent of veterans were uninsured in states that participated in Medicaid expansion, compared to 7.1 percent in states that did not.
One in 5 uninsured vets live in states that did not expand Medicaid and would have been eligible for coverage had their state chosen to expand the program, the report found. Haley says these are key data points when considering changes to policy.”
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/04/19/524751540/many-veterans-gained-health-care-through-the-affordable-care-act