Politics & Government

Bill Puts Spotlight On Potential Savings From Medicaid Expansion

Analysis by officials points to larger savings in 2015, opponents question findings

This article appears courtesy of NJ Spotlight

A bill that backers say would expand Medicaid eligibility, save the state money, and potentially reduce the mortality rate for low-income residents serves as a reminder that federal healthcare reform is still a bitter pill to some New Jerseyans.

The bill (S-2644) amends the current state Medicaid eligibility law, detailing a new framework for Medicaid expansion. The legislation, which was voted out of committee this past Thursday, would bring another $227 million in federal dollars into the state. 

That figure came courtesy of Gov. Chris Christie when he announced his support of Medicaid expansion in his budget proposal. But neither the governor's imprimatur nor the federal funds are enough to quiet some critics.

“There’s some talk of this being free money -- there’s no such thing as free money,” said Mike Proto of Americans for Prosperity, a group that opposed the ACA.

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He argued that the additional federal spending will add to the national debt.

Proto also cited studies that Medicaid enrollees have worse health outcomes than residents without insurance. “Adding more patients into Medicaid is like adding more passengers to the deck of the Titanic,” Proto said.

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