The cost of Medicaid expansion

In response to an item in Speak Out on Thursday, I feel it is important to set the record straight. The Speak Out section allows area residents to vent, but no fact-checking is done for this part of the paper, and those reading it might take the March 20 lead item as fact when it is not.

Concerns were expressed about our state not being able to afford to expand and reform Medicaid. The truth is the other way around; expanding income guidelines for Medicaid creates greater stability for Missouri's budget. According to independent analysis, the state of Missouri would be ahead of cost by a larger amount. The article indicates that our state would get "a little bit of money back." Well, I do not know what this person considers a small amount of money, but I feel that $2 billion a year is a long way from a small amount of money.

Aside from the money issue, which has the state of Missouri in the black beyond the year 2020, the expansion of Medicaid would provide preventive care for almost 300,000 additional Missouri residents, thus saving money due to not having to treat much more severe conditions. A study that was presented in this paper earlier this month indicated that the expansion of Medicaid would produce and/or save 24,000 jobs in the health care industry.

The reasons for expanding Medicaid go on and on, but you can do your own research by going to the following websites: www.momedicaidcoalition.org or www.masw.org. I also welcome questions and invitations to speak to local groups on this topic by contacting me at walterwildman@charter.net.

WALTER WILDMAN, Southeast Missouri organizer, Missouri Association for Social Welfare, Cape Girardeau