State should expand Medicaid

State Sen. Wallingford and state Reps. Lichtenegger and Swan served on interim legislative committees examining Missouri's Medicaid program. Sadly neither committee recommended expansion of Medicaid to cover more needy Missourians. Very recently, however, two Republican House members have introduced a Medicaid expansion proposal. It is time for our area legislators to get on board.

Many Missourians with incomes far below the official poverty line are ineligible for insurance under Missouri's current Medicaid program or for subsidies under the federal Affordable Care Act. Medicaid expansion would provide good insurance coverage for these very needy families and individuals.

A new economic development study estimates that 297,000 Missourians would become eligible for Medicaid coverage if Missouri chose the expansion option. The cost of that insurance would be paid fully by the federal government for three years. The state would never pay more than 10 percent of the cost of the program. Reductions in Missouri's other health care costs and increases in state revenues would offset fully the 10 percent matching share in future years.

Gov. Nixon has tried to implement Medicaid expansion but has been blocked by Republican legislators. This is economically, fiscally and socially stupid. It is abusive and cruel to those citizens whose lives depend on receiving timely and competent medical care. Republican legislators should listen to business leaders and medical experts and provide health insurance for many of our state's most vulnerable citizens.

ROBERT FULTON, Patton, Mo.