en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en
In the news business, we have a saying that “man bites dog” is a story, while the opposite is an everyday occurrence and not newsworthy.
Well, when former U.S. Sen. Kit Bond embraces plans to expand Medicaid eligibility in Missouri, it warrants front-page attention.
We welcome the news that our former governor and senator will be lobbying the state General Assembly to support Medicaid expansion, working on behalf of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Bond’s stature in the state GOP and his common-sense style may be just what the doctor ordered.
Republicans are objecting to plans put forward by Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon — and backed by the state’s hospitals, leading business groups and advocates for the poor — that would provide health care to poor adults at little or no cost.
The stated objection is overall cost, but the real reason is because expansion is viewed as an acceptance of the federal Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare.
“While I was and still am one of the loudest opponents of Obamacare, I’m getting involved in Medicaid reform now because if our state sits on the sidelines, I’m concerned hospitals in rural and inner city Missouri won’t survive,” Bond said in an email to David Lieb, capital correspondent for the Associated Press.
Bond said that the potential to reap billions of dollars more in federal funding is simply too important for Missouri to pass up, especially for hospitals that otherwise could get stuck with higher costs for treating the uninsured.
As we have said several times previously, Missourians deserve better, more affordable, health care — and the bonus is the plan could generate an overall increase in state revenues.
State Rep. Jay Barnes, R-Jefferson City, analyzed a plan to add about 225,000 adults to Medicaid rolls by expanding eligibility to all who are at or below the poverty level. The plan would help another 82,000 adults — those making between 100 percent and 138 percent of poverty — buy private insurance through the federally run insurance marketplace.
Barnes said Missouri would actually save money — gaining $42 million in general revenue by the 2021 fiscal year. The gain is due in part to the federal government picking up most of the tab for the expansion — but other gains would come from added income taxes and sales taxes paid by people employed in health care systems around the state.
This editorial is the view of the News-Leader Editorial Board
David Stoeffler Executive Editor
Linda Leicht Opinion Page Editor
Cheryl Whitsitt Managing Editor
About Us Staff Directory Careers Accessibility Support Site Map Legals Our Ethical Principles Terms of Service Privacy Policy Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy PolicyDo Not Sell My Info / Cookie Policy
Contact Us Support Local Businesses Advertise Your Business Advertising Terms and Conditions Buy and Sell Licensing & Reprints Help Center Subscriber Guide My Account Give Feedback