A new report released by the Missouri Foundation for Health shows that expanding the Medicaid program in Missouri would boost the state’s economy, not hurt it.
The Medicaid expansion issue will be on the ballot August 4 – and if Missourians choose “yes,” then many more people would be eligible for government-paid health care.
Just a refresher: The Affordable Care Act lets states expand their Medicaid programs to cover adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level (that’s just over $17,236 individual annual income). The federal government will pay 90% of the costs for widening that program, and the state would be on the hook for 10%.
As of January 10, 2020, 36 states have chosen to expand their Medicaid programs, but Missouri is among the 14 that have not. Republican lawmakers have said the program would be too costly. This new report indicates otherwise.
Joining us to talk about the new report is Sheldon Weisgrau, Vice President of Health Policy at the Missouri Foundation for Health—the organization that sought the research in the report. Read the new report here or listen to the interview below:
