Medicaid Expansion
This page contains my personal opinions and has not been authorized or edited by any organization, including the Graham County Republican Committee.
The federal government needs to abolish Obamacare, including the expansion of the federal Medicaid program. However, until that happens, the only reasonable thing for Arizona to do is adopt the expansion as proposed by Governor Brewer.
There are many drawbacks and uncertainties. Those opposing expansion have valid and well-reasoned opposition.
The federal government needs to abolish Obamacare, including the expansion of the federal Medicaid program. However, until that happens, the only reasonable thing for Arizona to do is adopt the expansion as proposed by Governor Brewer.
There are many drawbacks and uncertainties. Those opposing expansion have valid and well-reasoned opposition.
Flexibility
Since the legislature created the expansion, they have the ability to modify it, cut it back, or eliminate it entirely. Had they not done so, groups with extensive financial backing pledged to put an initiative on the ballot to expand medicaid. Based on the financial backing, political backing, and public support (see below), it seems evident that the general public would have voted for this expansion. Due the Arizona's voter protection act, the legislature would have then been unable to scale back or eliminate the expansion. It would seem that if you are opposed to expansion, you would rather have the legislature enact it than the people. I would.
Since the legislature created the expansion, they have the ability to modify it, cut it back, or eliminate it entirely. Had they not done so, groups with extensive financial backing pledged to put an initiative on the ballot to expand medicaid. Based on the financial backing, political backing, and public support (see below), it seems evident that the general public would have voted for this expansion. Due the Arizona's voter protection act, the legislature would have then been unable to scale back or eliminate the expansion. It would seem that if you are opposed to expansion, you would rather have the legislature enact it than the people. I would.
Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center
Insuring Arizona residents earning between 80% and 133% of the federal poverty level will help reduce lost revenue due to uncompensated care. In 2012 alone, Mt. Graham MC provided $3.3 million in care for which they did not receive payment.
Fiscal Necessity
Kevin McCarthy, president of the conservative Arizona Tax Research Association, says it would be fiscally irresponsible for lawmakers to drain the state's rainy day fund on Medicaid, instead of requiring the federal government to pay the majority of the costs.
Limited Options
Many leaders in Arizona were counting on the federal government to allow the state to continue receive federal funding to provide coverage at a level lower than the federal requirement. The state was notified in a letter on April 25 that the request to extend the exemption will expire on Dec. 31, 2013. Without expansion, maintaining coverage as required by Proposition 204 will require the state to spend about $800 million over the next three years. Providing this level of funding will require wiping out the rainy day fund and slashing other state programs (or raising taxes). Citizens and businesses in Arizona will continue to pay the additional federal taxes, even though we would not accept any funding.
Public Support
A snapshot of of the collective opinion of the general public isn't the best way to form public policy. However, when the opinion of the people remains consistent over a length of time, that opinion should begin to gain more weight. All three major polls that have been released show support for the plan:
1. Public Opinion Strategies conducted a poll at the beginning of April showing that Arizona voters approve of the plan to expand Medicaid 47%-17%.
2. Magellan Strategies conducted a poll of Arizona voters on March 27 & 28 showing a small 41%-37% margin of support for the expansion.
3. Scutari & Cieslak conducted a survey of Arizona voters on May 7 and found that they now approve of expansion 54%-25%. Significantly, it shows Republicans favor the plan 32-26.
1. Public Opinion Strategies conducted a poll at the beginning of April showing that Arizona voters approve of the plan to expand Medicaid 47%-17%.
2. Magellan Strategies conducted a poll of Arizona voters on March 27 & 28 showing a small 41%-37% margin of support for the expansion.
3. Scutari & Cieslak conducted a survey of Arizona voters on May 7 and found that they now approve of expansion 54%-25%. Significantly, it shows Republicans favor the plan 32-26.