John Lyskowski, M.D.; and Brian Conley, M.D.
Jefferson City
Dear Editor:
Last week during his State of the State address, Gov. Mike Parson said that Medicaid expansion would be "a massive tax increase that Missourians cannot afford." Our state legislators rejected an expansion bill in 2019 and are poised to do the same again this year. We disagree with this position. Medicaid expansion would be good for Missouri.
Thirty-six states now have Medicaid expansion and none have reversed this course once they adopted expansion. Many of those states are Republican and conservative environments. Why expansion? The federal government pays for 90 percent of the cost. We are already sending our tax dollars to Washington but not sharing the benefit.
What are the financial results? Arkansas expanded in 2015 and experienced a budget gain of $400 million in the following three years. It is projected that Missouri would get close to $1.5 billion annually from the federal government which would add jobs and stimulate the local economy.
What are the benefits? If more Missourians are insured, the data shows higher employment rates and lower poverty rates, fewer hospital closings, decreased medical debt and bankruptcy for families, earlier diagnosis and treatment, shorter hospital stays, and less death.
Since 2014, 10 rural hospitals have closed in Missouri. Just this past week and with no real warning, the hospital in Boonville closed. The hospital in Fulton is on the verge of closing and one of Jefferson City's hospitals is for sale.
We have treated our share of uninsured patients over the years. It is very frustrating to help a patient in the hospital and then provide a free, limited supply of discharge medication, knowing that the care plan may eventually fall apart and result in worsening health and possible readmission. Who pays for the free beds and meds? You do by higher insurance rates and out-of-pocket expenses, and higher local and state taxes.
From an economic standpoint it makes sense to pass Medicaid expansion. From a religious standpoint it seems the right thing to do. Expansion would cover more than 215,000 additional Missouri adults and children. If you get an opportunity to sign it, please support the amendment petition to place it on the November ballot. Let the citizens of Missouri decide.
Missouri cannot afford to miss this opportunity.
Reference: Kaiser Family Foundation review of effects of Medicaid expansion, August 2019-